Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for October 18, 2020

Holding Fast to the Lord

Isaiah 37:1-38

1. Background considerations

• Assyrian threat to Judah
• Hezekiah: “Yahweh strengthens”

2. Hezekiah responds to a national crisis (1-13)

• taunts of Sennacherib 36:1-22
• responding to arrogance with humility
• acknowledgment of utter helplessness
• prophecy of Isaiah and “remnant” repetition
• Sennacherib takes a parting shot

3. Hezekiah’s prayer for deliverance (14-20)

• “…spread it before the LORD.”
• adoration
• petition
• concern for the glory of God

4. Sennacherib’s fall (21-38)

• contrast between Sennacherib (v.3) and the LORD (v. 5)
• steps sequenced by the LORD
• a hook for the nose and a bit for the mouth
• 185,000 struck down

5. So What?

• Because the LORD always acts in the best interest of those who abandon themselves to Him, keep on holding fast to Him.
• Weave what you know of the LORD’S character into your worship.
• Speak to the LORD and expect to hear from Him.
• “And the widows of Ashur are loud in their wail, and the idols are broke in the temple of Baal; And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword, hath melted like snow in the glance of the Lord.” (Byron)
• “For my life He bled and died, Christ will hold me fast; Justice has been satisfied; He will hold me fast. Raised with Him to endless life, He will hold me fast, ‘till our faith is turned to sight, when He comes at last.’” (Getty)