The Park Forum

July 14, 2026July 13, 2026

Providential Patterns

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 14 Read: Isaiah 43 Listen: (4:06) Read: Psalms 108-109 Listen: (4:28)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 43.1-2, 16-19

1 But now, this is what the Lord says—

he who created you, Jacob,

he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

2 When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

16 This is what the Lord says—

he who made a way through the sea,

a path through the mighty waters,

17 who drew out the chariots and horses,

the army and reinforcements together,

and they lay there, never to rise again,

extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

18 “Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

19 See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.

Reflection: Providential Patterns

By John Tillman

Why should we remember what God has done?

One reason is that noticing new things God does now is easier when we remember God’s deeds from the past.

In Isaiah 43, God points to past miracles as evidence of his identity, faithfulness, and loving purpose. He references the Exodus story, including the burning bush, crossing the sea, the drowning of Pharoah’s army, and providing food and water for his people in the wilderness.

He says that he will do similar things for his people in the future but he warns against dwelling on the past. He says, “I’m doing something new. Don’t you notice?” God is doing something that is “the same but different.”

God’s deeds for Israel in Isaiah’s day would be the same but different than his deeds in Moses’ day. And God’s deeds today will be the same but different than the deeds we might look back on.

Israel would never again cross the Red Sea or the Jordan on dry land. Neither will you. However, when God is with you, rivers of troubles may rise but they won’t wash you away. Isaiah would never see God in a burning bush like Moses did. Daniel would never stand in a burning furnace like his friends did. However, when God is with you, you may be caught (or thrown) in a fiery trial, but the flames won’t burn you up and God will be with you.

Don’t dwell on the past or look for God to do the same thing again. Don’t put your hope in nostalgia. Put your hope in God bringing newness, not the same old thing. Put your hope in new wine for new wineskins. Put your hope in the small, unexpected things that are springing up. Do you perceive them? Pray that you will.

Lord, help us remember the providential patterns of your saving help.

When we passed through waters, fires, wildernesses, and wastelands

You did not abandon us.

Help us not fear present or future trials.

May the patterns of previous blessings help us perceive today’s.

Let us be quick to see your saving work and quick to praise and thank you, giving you glory.

Help us not to dwell in the past but dwell with you.

Help us not to lose ourselves in nostalgia for bygone days but rejoice in new appreciation for your works today.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the whole earth. — Psalm 96.1

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Being God’s Servant

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 13 Read: Isaiah 42 Listen: (4:11) Read: Psalm 107 Listen: (4:12)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 42.1-4

1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold,

my chosen one in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him,

and he will bring justice to the nations.

2 He will not shout or cry out,

or raise his voice in the streets.

3 A bruised reed he will not break,

and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.

In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;

4 he will not falter or be discouraged

till he establishes justice on earth.

In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”

Reflection: Being God’s Servant

By John Tillman

Who is God’s servant?

In Isaiah, God’s “servant” is not a bowing, scraping, subservient, underling. The servant Isaiah sings about is the type of servant who stands as a representative of his master, speaking in his name, acting in accordance with his will, and representing his presence and person. This was common in Isaiah’s time. Isaiah described a human example of this in Sennacherib’s commander who spoke in his king’s name during the siege of Jerusalem (Is 36). Joseph, speaking for Pharaoh (Gen 41.41-44), is another example.

God’s servant in Isaiah is an image of God, representing God’s will, presence, and person.

God’s servant in Isaiah is a leader, but also a laborer. Isaiah emphasizes the effort, strain, and passion of the servant. He stirs up his zeal to face his enemies and cries out like a woman in childbirth, gasping and panting with exertion. This is not just an Old Testament idea. Paul described the “incomparably great power” and “mighty strength” God “exerted” when raising Jesus from the dead (Eph 1.19-20). And many writers describe the extreme anguish, both physical and spiritual, of Jesus, beginning in Gethsemane and continuing to his last cries on the cross.

God’s servant works with effort, exerting God’s power, granted for God’s purposes.

God’s servant in Isaiah is tough and tender, but these aren’t opposites or contradictions. His tenderness motivates his toughness. Because he will not break a bruised reed, he levels mountains to rescue the injured. Because he will not snuff out a smoldering wick, he dispels darkness, igniting a blazing torch of justice.

God’s servant is driven by mercy, love, and compassion, not vengeance, hatred, or violence.

Isaiah’s servant songs looked forward to multiple realities. One was the post-exile restoration of Israel when, one by one, God would overcome all obstacles, political and spiritual, to his people returning to live again with him in Jerusalem. Another was a cosmic picture of God’s work of salvation for all humanity, when God, through Jesus, destroys obstacles or enemies keeping his children from living with him in eternity.

Ultimately, Isaiah’s servant is Jesus. But in your world, through the Holy Spirit, you represent Jesus’ presence and person. Be more and more conformed into a better image of him (Rom 8.29; 12.2). Work in his name, with his mighty power, toward his merciful purpose. Gasp and pant to birth the gospel into your world.

Be God’s servant. In Jesus’ name.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. — Psalm 19.14

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

You’re No Hezekiah

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 10 Read: Isaiah 39 Listen: (1:35) Read: Acts 26 Listen: (5:17)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Jul 11 Read: Isaiah 40 Listen: (5:09) Read: Acts 27 Listen: (6:09)
Jul 12 Read: Isaiah 41 Listen: (5:00) Read: Acts 28 Listen: (4:56)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 39

1 At that time Marduk-Baladan son of Baladan king of Babylon sent Hezekiah letters and a gift, because he had heard of his illness and recovery. 2 Hezekiah received the envoys gladly and showed them what was in his storehouses—the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine olive oil—his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. 3 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah and asked, “What did those men say, and where did they come from?” “From a distant land,” Hezekiah replied. “They came to me from Babylon.” 4 The prophet asked, “What did they see in your palace?” “They saw everything in my palace,” Hezekiah said. “There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them.” 5 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord Almighty: 6 The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. 7 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood who will be born to you, will be taken away, and they will become eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 8 “The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.”

Reflection: You’re No Hezekiah

By John Tillman

There was no king like Hezekiah (2 Kings 18.5). Hezekiah’s faith held firm in crises that would have crumbled other kings.

He eliminated idolatry that had plagued Judah for generations (2 Kings 18.4). He faced down the undefeatable invading army of the world’s first empire, Assyria (2 Chron 32.6-8, 22-23). He faced terminal illness, appealing to God, who healed him (2 Kings 20.1-6). This miraculous healing, however, came with a test. And Hezekiah failed it.

Babylon heard of Hezekiah’s healing and sent envoys with gifts, inquiring about the miracle. Even though the text says Hezekiah showed them “everything,” Hezekiah somehow never introduced them to Isaiah, the prophet who healed him and nothing from the Temple is listed in what was shown to the visitors. Hezekiah’s tour seems to have focused on signs of his wealth, power, and strength.

Chronicles’ account clarifies that God tested Hezekiah to expose what was in his heart (2 Chron 32.31). Hezekiah looked great on the outside. If there was a “Mount Rushmore” of good kings of Judah, Hezekiah would be on it (2 Kings 18.5). But in his heart, the cracks of pride and greed widened, destroying everything.

In literature, film, and television, we love tragic heroes that have one flaw or one tragic mistake that dooms everything. It makes a good story, but also plays into how we see ourselves. We think we are “mostly good,” maybe even heroic at times. However, if we think being faithful will mean avoiding one tragic error, we are badly mistaken.

It is good to learn from Hezekiah’s failure. We need to keep our focus on God, not our wealth, power, or strength. Most of us won’t be tested like Hezekiah was. Hezekiah passed tests we might fail and failed ones we might pass. We don’t need to learn how to avoid the specific sins of Hezekiah or any other biblical character. We need to learn to discern the sins we are tempted with today.

If we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves (1 John 1.8). But if anyone does sin, Jesus is our advocate and the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the whole world (1 John 2.1-2). Instead of hiding sins or hiding from them, drag them out into the light through confession and Jesus will purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1.9).

You’re no Hezekiah and neither am I. Our culture, strengths, and weaknesses differ. We will be tested in different ways. When, not if, we fail, be quick to confess and faithful to repent.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

For your name’s sake, O Lord, forgive my sin, for it is great. — Psalm 25.10

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

True and Reasonable Faith

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 9 Read: Isaiah 38 Listen: (3:20) Read: Acts 25 Listen: (4:40)

Scripture Focus: Acts 25.18-19

18 When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. 19 Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive.

Acts 26.24-27

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

Reflection: True and Reasonable Faith

By John Tillman

Festus was confused by the false charges against Paul. He didn’t even know how to describe the case when sending it to Caesar. Paul’s claims seemed like madness to him.

Many within Greek-influenced Roman culture thought the spirit was a superior form of reality and the body was an inferior shell. The resurrection of the dead was nonsense—more like a curse than a miracle. Later, as Paul spoke of resurrection during his defense, Festus would interrupt, saying, “You are out of your mind!” (Acts 26.24-27)

Paul’s defense included telling the facts of his own life, his previous persecution of “The Way,” and his meeting with the risen Jesus. Paul presented his claims as verifiable facts that “did not happen in a corner” (Acts 26.26) and invited scrutiny of everything, including the resurrection. Even in Paul’s day, all the authority and power of Rome couldn’t disprove Paul’s testimony about Jesus.

Paul’s defense also claimed that his testimony about resurrection was “reasonable” from the Jewish perspective and in light of what was written in the prophets. To Agrippa, a man well-studied in Jewish anthropology and the scriptures, the resurrection of the dead was not madness and Paul’s story apparently seemed quite compelling. (Acts 26.28)

Paul demonstrated that he was innocent of the charges against him. But what is more important is that he demonstrated that Christian claims sprang logically from promises in the Jewish scriptures and that the facts of his life merited serious consideration of his religious claims.

The TV series, The Chosen, imagines a conversation between Nicodemus and Mary Magdalene. In that scene, she says, “I was one way… and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between… was Him.” Even as far removed from the events of the Gospels as we are, we still can bear witness, like Paul and others did, using our own stories.

You may think, “I don’t have a dramatic story. I wasn’t arresting Christians like Paul or possessed by demons like Mary.” But surely Jesus has made a dramatic change in you? Hasn’t he changed the way you think about yourself? Hasn’t he changed the way you think about others? Hasn’t he rooted out of your heart stones and weeds and planted new growth?

Keep testifying to the truth of the resurrection and living out its implications. It is our lives, paired with our words, that make our faith “true and reasonable” to the watching world.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous stumble. — Psalm 55.24

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Leadership and the Can’t-Do Attitude

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 8 Read: Isaiah 37 Listen: (6:47) Read: Acts 24 Listen: (4:11)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 37:1

When King Hezekiah heard this, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the Lord.

Reflection: Leadership and the Can’t-Do Attitude

By Erin Newton

Not long ago, my day started like any other. I prepared breakfast for our four kids but heard a shriek from the bathroom. The toilet (freshly used) was overflowing! The biohazardous, soupy mess was flooding the room. At this point, I was in my late 30s. I had multiple degrees. I had renovated two houses on my own. This wasn’t my first rodeo, but I lost it. My first instinct was to call my dad. Because let’s be honest, sometimes you need parental help.

Hezekiah, king of Judah, has ruled a nation since childhood. He’s reformed the temple. He is, by all means, capable and experienced. So what shakes him up in Isaiah 37?

The previous chapter reveals how Sennacherib’s army began to taunt Judah. The messengers tear their robes and relay the threats to Hezekiah.

Hezekiah responds by tearing his clothes as well. Robe-tearing was a frequent practice in the Old Testament. The practice often signals lament or a distressed emotional state. The king assumes this posture and then runs to the Lord.

I appreciate this show of weakness, humility, and emotional vulnerability from Judah’s highest citizen. Not only does he seek the Lord but he asks for the wisdom of God’s prophet, Isaiah.

The message from God (and Isaiah) is that Hezekiah has no need to fear Sennacherib’s threats. Salvation will come; it’s all going according to plan.

When strong and powerful people are met with threats, our modern culture expects resilience, confidence, unflinching and unwavering strength, and often, an “I can do it on my own” attitude. It’s quite the opposite of what we see in Isaiah 37.

Hezekiah could have trusted his own power, military, authority, strength, or status. But he chooses to openly and publicly admit he’s scared and that he doesn’t have all the answers.

How different would it be if our leaders showed such vulnerability? How much better would it be for us to openly reveal when we are overwhelmed?

Contemporary culture likes to promote independence and self-made confidence. We overlook how the positive examples of faith were often examples of public humility and vulnerability.

We know that we should seek God for help. We herald, “Rend your heart and not your garments” (Joel 2.13) as if that’s an excuse to never show our own hurt. Let us rend our clothes and our hearts, run to the Lord, and seek his people for wisdom. That is how we lead.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

O Lord my God, I cried out to you, and you restored me to health.

You brought me up, O Lord, from the dead; you restored my life as I was going down to the grave. — Psalm 30.2-3

– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.

Posts

Providential Patterns

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 43.1-2, 16-19

Reflection: Providential Patterns

Divine Hours Prayer: The Call to Prayer

Read more: Steadfast Hope

Read more: Revenge to Redemption

Being God’s Servant

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 42.1-4

Reflection: Being God’s Servant

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Read more: Dependent Hope

Read more: Stories of the Redeemed

You’re No Hezekiah

Links for today’s readings:

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 39

Reflection: You’re No Hezekiah

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Read more: Victory In Loss

Read more: Ozymandias & Hezekiah

True and Reasonable Faith

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Acts 25.18-19

Acts 26.24-27

Reflection: True and Reasonable Faith

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Read more: The Impression That We Give

Read more: Prayer Beyond Petitions

Leadership and the Can’t-Do Attitude

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 37:1

Reflection: Leadership and the Can’t-Do Attitude

Divine Hours Prayer: The Greeting

Read more: Winning People > Winning Arguments

Read more: The Way of the Remnant