READING FOR MARCH 19, 2026: ISAIAH 37, ROMANS 6, PSALM 24:7-10 ISAIAH 37 This is one of those clearcut examples where God, not man, won the victory. It is somewhat like when Gideon’s 300 men held up their torches and shouted or when Israel marched around Jericho and blew their horns. It’s perhaps more like situations that we might face in the way the problem arose, was perceived, and addressed. Let’s break it down, consid- ering how we as individuals or as Yorktown Methodist Church might follow this model.
Take the Threat Seriously. Assyria’s ultimatum was rightly rejected. Assyria’s last words to Jerusalem were these: “Who among all the gods of these lands have saved their land from my hand, that the Lord would save Jerusalem from my hand?” (Isa. 36:20). When these words were reported to Hez- ekiah, he did not just laugh them off and proceed as usual. “Now when King Hezekiah heard the report, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and entered the house of the Lord. (vs. 1). Ignor- ing a threat and hoping it will just go away by itself is not a spiritual response. As with Hezeki- ah, we should be deeply concerned and immediately turn to the Lord. Our individual threats could be related to health, job, or most serious of all, the salvation of our loved ones. Our church body recently dealt with the issue of denominational affiliation and currently faces a longstanding decline in attendance. Business as usual is not called for. Serious Stuff.
Seek Out God’s Word on the Matter. Hezekiah then sent leaders to the prophet Isaiah for his prophetic word about this threat to Jerusalem and more importantly a taunt against the living God (vs. 4). Hear the words of Jesus: “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets ... but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5: 17-19).
Don’t be Afraid—Trust God’s Word. “Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. Behold, I am going to put a spirit in him so that he will hear news and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land” (vs.6-7).
Pray to God, Rightly Perceiving His Attributes and Authority. “Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, saying, ‘Lord of armies, God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made heaven and earth’” (vs. 15-16).
Wait and Listen for God’s Answer. “Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent word to Hezekiah, saying, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel says: ‘Because you have prayed to Me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, this is the word that the Lord has spoken against him”’ (vs. 21-22).
Know the Real Reason Why God Delivers Victory. ”For I will protect this city to save it for My own sake, and for My servant David’s sake’” (vs. 35). Remember, God didn’t rescue the northern king- dom because they did seek God’s glory. Also, ofttimes God’s plans are just beyond our under- standing: “And others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection" (Heb. 11:35).
ROMANS 6 Paul goes to great lengths to be sure he is not misunderstood. Just because grace increases more than sin, we should not sin more to increase grace. That would be an afront to READINGS FOR MARCH 19, 2026 CONTINUED: ROMANS 6, PSALM 22:1-11 Jesus, who died to save us from the power of sin.
Paul then uses the act of baptism as a physical representation of the spiritual transformation that happens upon putting our faith in Jesus. We are buried with the crucified Jesus in water baptism, and we emerge with the risen Jesus to newness of life. This dramatizes the death of the sinful self to become alive in Christ. Water baptism publicly announces our salvation but does not save us. For example, Paul, then Saul, was called a brother by Ananias before baptism. Later, Cornelius received the gift of the Spirit before baptism. Baptism followed soon afterwards both times, as it did on the Day of Pentecost. Baptism acknowledges Jesus before others: “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven” (John 10:33). Baptism lifts up the Gospel: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16).
Paul warns those who have experienced this new life to no longer allow sin and its lusts reign in our bodies. This must have been a danger or else Paul would not have mentioned it. Even though we are transformed spiritually, Paul states we still continually need to present ourselves to God as slaves of righteousness. Paul says this ongoing process leads to sanctification or personal holiness. He reminds us that the end result of sin leads to death as opposed to the gift of salvation, which leads to eternal life. LET’S NOT SIN.
PSALM 22:1-11 Here David expresses what he truly felt, and likely what all of us have truly felt at times: forsaken by God. This is the same sentiment Job expressed throughout. And most importantly, these are the very words Jesus quoted on the cross. Of all these instances the only statement objectively true and not only a personal expression was Jesus’s. He alone experienced total separation from the Father as He bore all our sins. Yet, those today in war- torn countries or in the midst of famine or in crises of purpose might sense that God has let them down. In verses 3-5 David gained some perspective through history and good theology, but this seems quickly trumped by his current experience (vs.6-8). Then David reflects back on God’s prior faithfulness (vs. 9-10), which becomes the basis of a prayer request to God (vs. 11).
This real-time look into David’s mind is a fascinating model for us. Are we brave enough to share with God our real feelings and the really bad experiences we are having? Do we bring our historical and theological knowledge to bear in our self-talk, along with looking back at how God has walked with us throughout life? Do we bring everything to the table when going though problems? Or do we just stew in our sadness or feel guilty for how we are feeling? What a model for us! Stopping at verse 11 today is hard to do, but let’s stick with the plan.
