The Park Forum

July 10, 2026July 8, 2026

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.

Chess Or Checkers

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 7 Read: Isaiah 36 Listen: (4:00) Read: Acts 23 Listen: (5:15)

Scripture Focus: Acts 23.6-11

6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.) 9 There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. 11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Reflection: Chess Or Checkers

By John Tillman

“He’s playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.”

Some variants of this phrase replace checkers with tiddlywinks, tic-tac-toe, or other games. The point is to imply that the person playing “chess” is operating on a higher level than others playing simpler (or even childish) games.

This metaphor has problems. First, checkers is “simpler” because all pieces move identically, yet is incredibly strategic, requiring similar skills as chess. Second, to compete against an opponent, you must play at the same table, with the same pieces, and by the same rules. Competing while playing different games is nonsensical.

Nevertheless, if there is a New Testament person who operated on a higher strategic level, it is Paul. Paul was the most educated, articulate, and strategic of the apostles. Paul would make a superior chess player, however, one would be unlikely to win against him regardless of whether you played chess, checkers, or tiddlywinks.

In his trial before the Sanhedrin, Paul knew exactly where the fault lines were between the theological factions. When he appealed to his belief in the resurrection, he knew it would divide his opponents. But Paul’s higher goal wasn’t starting a fight. He was strategic about winning an audience to testify to the truth of the gospel.

After Paul was rescued from the violent result of his defensive strategy, Jesus affirmed and encouraged him. He told Paul that his testimony in Jerusalem was needed in Rome.

Paul trusted God’s sovereignty and providence, yet did not passively wait around for God to “do something” in difficult circumstances. He thought several moves ahead. He spoke and acted strategically, both before the Sanhedrin and later before Felix, to participate in the work that the Holy Spirit told him was occurring.

You don’t have to be a chess-level strategic genius for God to use you for the sake of the gospel. However, your gifts, whether intellectual, strategic, artistic, or relational, are means through which you participate in the work God calls us to.

God is the chessmaster, not us. But we aren’t unthinking pieces to be moved. Participate in what God is doing in, through, and around you. Following his lead will move you to protect others and make sacrifices, as Paul did. Ultimately, God assures victory for the gospel, no matter what game we find ourselves playing.

When in doubt, Jesus stands beside us as he did Paul, saying, “Take courage.”

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Yours are the heavens, the earth is also yours; you laid the foundations of the world and all that is in it. — Psalm 89.11

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

Superblooms in Death’s Valley

Links for today’s readings:

Jul 6 Read: Isaiah 35 Listen: (1:43) Read: Acts 22 Listen: (4:26)

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 35

1The desert and the parched land will be glad;

the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;

it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.

The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,

the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;

they will see the glory of the Lord,

the splendor of our God.

3 Strengthen the feeble hands,

steady the knees that give way;

4 say to those with fearful hearts,

“Be strong, do not fear;

your God will come,

he will come with vengeance;

with divine retribution

he will come to save you.”

5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened

and the ears of the deaf unstopped.

6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,

and the mute tongue shout for joy.

Water will gush forth in the wilderness

and streams in the desert.

7 The burning sand will become a pool,

the thirsty ground bubbling springs.

In the haunts where jackals once lay,

grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

8 And a highway will be there;

it will be called the Way of Holiness;

it will be for those who walk on that Way.

The unclean will not journey on it;

wicked fools will not go about on it.

9 No lion will be there,

nor any ravenous beast;

they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,

10 and those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Reflection: Superblooms in Death’s Valley

By John Tillman

Death Valley’s name is accurate. The heat and lack of water are deadly.

Death Valley recorded the planet’s highest temperature of 134 degrees. It is the driest place in North America, averaging around two inches of rain per year but frequently getting much less for long periods.

Yet, even Death Valley isn’t lifeless. In 2026, Death Valley had a rare “superbloom” of wildflowers. A “superbloom” is a sudden blooming of wildflowers in otherwise barren and desert environments. Superblooms are triggered by just the right amount of rain at just the right time. When this happens, seeds dormant for up to ten years can burst into life. During a superbloom, new life blankets barren and brown desert landscapes with colorful waves of quickly fading flowers. Even in Death Valley, life finds a way.

Isaiah’s prophetic poem depicts a barren desert, a valley of death. God’s judgments had passed through. Cities had been flattened to dust, covered up in thorns and inhabited by wild desert animals. Streams dried up, turning to pitch. Dust was superheated, turning to burning sulphur.

But that was not the end. Isaiah spoke tenderly to the faithful, redeemed remnant. “Your God will come.” (Isaiah 35.4) Even in deserts of desolation, God’s presence changes everything.

Isaiah declared that God’s presence would bring a superbloom of life. “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.” (Isaiah 35.1-2)

A superbloom can teach us about faithfulness and evangelism.

Faithful believers will, at times, experience drought and feel spiritually dried out, or even deserted. In dry times, you are the dormant seed, protected in a hardened husk of faith. However long the wait, God will come and you will bloom in ways you can’t now imagine.

Faithful witnesses will, at times, see nothing but barren fields, rocky ground, and wilderness thorns. The gospel seeds you spread may seem dormant and unheeded. Carry on sowing. The seed of the gospel is never hopeless. Though it lies dormant, God will bring others to water it and make it grow.

Superblooms in climes like Death Valley are ephemeral. And in this life, we may experience blooms of God’s presence that fade. But God’s ultimate superbloom is eternal and unfading. That day’s blessings will never dry up and the new life that blooms will never wilt or fade.

Photo Credit: National Park Service, Alan Van Valkenburg. View more Death Valley wildflower pictures on the National Park Service website.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Show us the light of your countenance, O God, and come to us. — Psalm 67.1

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

Posts

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

Chess Or Checkers

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Acts 23.6-11

Reflection: Chess Or Checkers

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Read more: The Victorious Path of Weakness

Read more: Anticipated Surprises

Superblooms in Death’s Valley

Links for today’s readings:

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 35

Reflection: Superblooms in Death’s Valley

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence

Read more: Two Roads Diverged in Barren Land

Read more: The Ever-Patient Agriculturalist