Over the backdrop of the Assyrian destruction of Samaria, Isaiah calls us from fading worldly glory to the lasting glory of the Lord as our crown and diadem.
Part of our privileged engagement in spiritual warfare in prayer for all saints is focused prayer for a faithful ministry--one that represents fully the Gospel of Christ in spite of whatever difficulties may be encountered.
In three movements of thought, Isaiah answers the question whether there is a difference between the church and the world, admonishes merely external members of the church, and provides reassurance of a glorious gathering to those who believe.
The many washings of the levitical ritual bore eloquent witness that humans are defiled by sin and stand in need of the cleansing that is only supplied by the blood and Spirit of Christ.
Prayer is an indispensable part of spiritual warfare, since it is by prayer that we are strong in the Lord, prayer is faith in the word of God coming to expression, and prayer is an outflow of the life of union to Christ and fullness in the Spirit.