Author: Erin Newton

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 22  Read: Isaiah 51 Listen: (4:35) Read: Psalm 119.49-72 Listen: (15:14)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 51:21-23

21 Therefore hear this, you afflicted one,
    made drunk, but not with wine.
22 This is what your Sovereign Lord says,
    your God, who defends his people:
“See, I have taken out of your hand
    the cup that made you stagger;
from that cup, the goblet of my wrath,
    you will never drink again.
23 I will put it into the hands of your tormentors,
    who said to you,
    ‘Fall prostrate that we may walk on you.’
And you made your back like the ground,
    like a street to be walked on.”

Reflection: Pushovers

By Erin Newton

Songwriters, like poets, have the ability to capture human emotions and bring them to life in new and memorable ways. As heartbreak and being wronged are common mortal ailments, songs that express pain or outrage are some of the greatest bops of all time.

Take for example, the formerly viral song by Gotye, “Somebody That I Used to Know,” the artist belts out:

Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I’d done
Now you’re just somebody that I used to know

Or take the classic by Nancy Sinatra, “These Boots Are Made for Walking,” when she learns of the infidelity of her lover, she taunts:

These boots are made for walkin’
And that’s just what they’ll do
One of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you

The raw emotions portrayed are those of pain and anger. But they’re often the emotions of someone who has already processed the pain, gained a sense of self and regained power to some extent. They find a way out of that former abuse or neglect and they stride out the door to freedom. 

Israel had gotten into bed with other lovers, so to speak. The prophet Hosea gives a vivid picture of how the nation traded loyalty to God for the pleasures of another kingdom. In Isaiah 51, the chapter ends with a stark picture of Israel’s situation. She lay on the ground as her tormentors walked right over her.

In much of the Old Testament, God’s people (collectively and individually) have gotten themselves into such predicaments. But despite their shortcomings, God sees how they’ve been a pushover, weak, and powerless.

We have a term for an easy victory—a walkover. We refer to people who are easily pushed into doing things they might not really want to do—they are walked all over by the aggressor. 

But God has compassion. God promises to reverse the situation, granting power to the powerless and bringing down the haughty. There is a sort of hope in Isaiah that God’s people would gain strength of character and boldness in piety, so much so that they will shake off the shackles of their tormentors. 

Do you find yourself walked over by a friend, family member, abusive partner, or members of an organization? God, the slayer of dragons, will hear you and restore your dignity.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

You are my helper and deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry. — Psalm 70.6

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

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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.

Read more: Winning People > Winning Arguments

Paul’s trial was a platform for him to find common ground with all people and to explain the gospel publicly.

Read more: The Way of the Remnant

If we suffer, let it be for doing good, not evil. Let us suffer for generosity not selfishness. Let us suffer for kindness not violence.