SOAP Isaiah 39: Intention and Faith
- Nora R.
- Mar 28, 2024
- 3 min read
Intention and Faith
ISAIAH 39
In this short chapter of Isaiah we read about Hezekiah’s pride in his things. He feels great that he can show the Babylonians all that he has. Shortly after Hezekiah’s show and tell, Isaiah prophesies that Hezekiah will lose it all.
This is Hezekiah’s reply:
”Hezekiah replied to Isaiah, “Good. If God says so, it’s good.” Within himself he was thinking, “But surely nothing bad will happen in my lifetime. I’ll enjoy peace and stability as long as I live.”“
Isaiah 39:8 MSG
It is easy to speak or think of God’s goodness when all is well. It is easy to be filled with positive thoughts, positive affirmations, confidence in all that we have done and all that we have accumulated…when all is well.
When all is not well, I believe that it is still possible to be filled with faith that God is always good, always for us, and always with us. When we live in this kind of faith, the positive thoughts, positive affirmations, and confidence can still be there.
This faith, in my opinion, has to be developed. It is developed in each one of us by intentionally growing closer to Jesus, by intentionally allowing ourselves to be changed by Jesus, by intentionally becoming more like Jesus.
Intention is my word of the year. It was my word of the year last year, as well. I chose it again
because I did not see much success in living life more intentionally. And, because it’s a big
word. It can encompass each moment, each day, each year. I did learn a bit more last year
about how I wanted to live more intentionally.
This year, I am feeling compelled to learn better to give everything to Jesus. Every
situation…fully to Him. Every relationship…fully to Him. Every morning…fully to Him.
God has demonstrated every needed example of His intentions toward us in His Bible. Look at this verse:
”God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?“
Numbers 23:19 NLT
When God’s Word says this:
”No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
Romans 8:39 NLT
It is true. When God’s Word says this:
”I am the Lord; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me,“
Isaiah 45:5 NLT
It is true. When God’s Word says this:
”Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.“
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18 NLT
It is true!
Let’s find ways to be intentionally encouraging to those around us today! We are living each moment in the promises of Jesus. We can live by the first thoughts of Hezekiah: “If God says so, it is good.” And, we don’t have to worry when, not if, we experience trails and pain and difficult, unfair and uncertain things in this world. We can encourage each other with God’s promises that He is with us, always, and one day we will be with Him, for eternity.
Prayer: Jesus, thank you for all of your promises. Thank you for all of your love. Thank you for all of your promises. Thank you for your faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Yes and amen! I too have been trying to live intentionally. Being content in the Lord and all circumstances because I know his plan is greater! To be settled in myself to not worry so much about tomorrow. But being content in what God has for me today. 🙏🏻