Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8 ~ Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father

Gibon Springs, redirected by Hezekiah, these are his tunnels for water.

It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channeled the water down to the west side of the City of David. He succeeded in everything he undertook. 2 Chronicles 32:30

Faith is not a wish to believe or a will to believe something contrary to reason. Faith is not living as if something were true. Faith is the acceptance of a truth based on the authority of God's revelation, as in Scripture.

- Fulton J. Sheen

The purpose of life is to grow up. To develop our core, our soul, into something we can hope would be pleasing to our Father God. The destination is Home - His eternal Kingdom. At hand now. Faith is unseen. He says so. God did not whisk the Children of Israel into the Promised Land. Of course this was possible for Him. He expected the Children of Israel to grow up. God wants us to pray, be grateful, give Him our hearts, and do some heavy lifting. Not handing Him the broom to clean up our unrepentant messes. Or treating Him as our waiter. Instead as our Hero, our Savior. Choosing Life, just as He sees it - as Good. Knowing to be the good Samaritan. Going the extra mile, because He does this for us. The destination is Home. His Home.

Jesus desires holy. And gives healing. Asking each time something from the recipient - His beloved. 

• Mark 5:24-29  The woman healed from bleeding - reached out - in faith.

• Matthew 9: 1-8, Mark 2:1-12, and Luke 5:17-26 - The paralyzed man - had friends to help do an action. Today we pray for people and offer to help them. Jesus told the healed man to pull his weight and rise. Knowing Jesus, we can say, He would want to see the man give back. Let the healed man give back. Creating a cycle of love, care, a meaningful life. Worth living... Rise.

²³ Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’?

• Luke 17:11-13 10 Lepers were healed. Told not to sit and collect their own naval lint. Move on. Seek holiness, not stay in self-pity.

14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed.

One was wise and sought out Jesus. Better than mere busyness. Jesus told him to do work too. The man seeking Jesus was affirmed on His path... Rise.

19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

• Matthew 9:27-31

Jesus heals two blind men. And gives them the task of discretion. A Light under a basket? Our God is about relationship, not glam. A life knowing the miracle was personal.

30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.”

• Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10. The Centurion's servant is healed in Capernaum. Capernaum, the beautiful city by the sea - where He said He had not seen such faith in all of Israel. Jesus was so impressed by the foreigner's understanding of the power in the Word of God, the Centurion was not asked for any further action. However, Jesus chose this place as His dwelling.

“I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.” 10 And when those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant well.

The Old Testament is still the Word of God, unity is found in God. Aaron's sons are more safe in the New Testament. ~ Alleluia. Good News! God's favor rests on those who seek His Good Will - usually.

Isaiah 38:1-6, 21-22, 7-8

Isaiah 38:1-6
1 In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 and said, “Please, O Lord, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

4 Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: 5 “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. 6 I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and will defend this city.

Isaiah 38:21-22
21 Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, that he may recover.” 22 Hezekiah also had said, “What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the Lord?”

Isaiah 38:7-8
7 “This shall be the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do this thing that he has promised: 8 Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had declined.




Father God, Be with us in the days ahead and Today. Getting out of our routine - to find the gratitude You give us making the day sufficient. Expecting You to show up, seeing where You are working all things together for our good, in Faith. When we don't, letting eyes of faith be Your's.

Blessing upon the people who reach far into themselves to share. Speaking up, when opening themselves is difficult. May the God of all Heaven, all Heavenly Host, bless those who speak up even when their voice squeaks. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Using what they've got to broaden, deepen, and soothe the faith and the lives of those God gives them to touch. Let Hearts be untroubled. Let Joys be multiplied. Let families live in peace. With God we shall do valiantly. We are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Give thanks to Him; bless His name!

The Old Testament and the New Testament are Your story in Oneness. Jesus, His sacrifice - His death - His Victory over death. We commit to You the upbuilding of the ones we love and pray for. Jesus is Your Son, Our Lord God and we praise You for Your redemptive Power. And Your Love.

May the our God fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we may abound in hope.

In the Highest name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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