Isaiah 33 sounds like a conversation. There is prayer and then an answer. Isaiah is both the one who prays and the one through whom the answer comes. The prayer is simple and short. It is a cry for mercy in view of the assaults of a hostile nation, probably Assyria. When Isaiah wrote these words, Assyria was a looming threat in the land, but the people were not praying as Isaiah was. The way this passage is structured conveys something both about what God wants from his people and what he wants to do for them. Isaiah’s prayer is presented as an example of what God wants his people to do. The implied message here is that if the people would cry out to God, as Isaiah demonstrates, then they would receive the answer recorded here. The promises that follow the prayer are a remarkable response to such a simple prayer. It shows how willing God was and is to answer us when we cry to him for help. There is no skill required to pray. A simple cry will suffice, so long as it is from a heart that knows it needs God. Never hesitate to ask God for help. Don’t leave it to last to do this. As you begin this new year, resolve within yourself to establish a stronger rhythm of prayer. Get into the habit of including God in every part of your life. You won’t ‘bother’ him. He wants you to pray to him and he wants to bless you. What is it that concerns you the most right now? Bring that to God in prayer.
Do what I have suggested.
Read Isaiah 33
