Isaiah 36:21-37:8 (including communion by Tim Baatjes)

 OutlineGod's people don't engage the enemy in their own strength, they run to God in faith. The way of faith must be honest, humble and repentant. The way of faith surrenders to the will of God with hope. God’s promises in His word are trustworthy. Jesus defeated our enemy in His strength, he has taken every sin, has our life secured with him in heaven and is now interceding on or behalf. Home Group Questions    Rather than engage the enemy, Hezekiah instructed his representatives to not speak and he did not respond either. When and why can this be a wise strategy? How should Hezekiah’s strategy of going into the presence of God and seeking help from someone who knows the word of God, be a good model for us in times of distress, temptation, giving into sin and doubt? Why is it sometimes people’s instinct to stay away from God and His people when we most need them? How can we encourage people not to respond this way?    Hezekiah acknowledges they are in this position because of sin. How does understanding sin as betrayal, not just breaking a law, lead us to greater humility, repentance and worship?    In Jesus we see the coming together of the offices of prophet, priest and king. How does Isaiah’s role in this story point us to Jesus?    Isaiah’s answer was simply, trust God’s promises. God had already spoken, so His people could trust His promise before they saw His deliverance. What promises of God have strengthened your faith during difficult times? How can we encourage one another to trust God’s Word even when we cannot yet see how He will act?