#soap # Isaiah 13 ## Title: Hope Amidst Chaos ## Scripture: (Isaiah 13:13) “So I will shake the heavens, and the earth will shake loose from its foundation, because of the fury of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, in the day he vents his raging anger.” (NET) ## Observation: This chapter can be hard to read because it is all about God destroying Babylon. This is lost on us because we live so very far away from this time. Think of it this way. Let’s say you are back in elementary school. Every day you are afraid to go to school because there is a high school student that doesn’t like you. You are terrified that they will hurt you if they find you. They have told others that is exactly what they are going to do. You live in fear every day that you will be found and hurt. This is something close to the threat the nation of Israel felt from Babylon, as well as other surrounding hostile nations. God is saying that He is going to destroy the bully and free you from the fear of him, but you have to turn back to Him. God also warns you that it won’t be pretty, so don’t be surprised or discouraged when the mess piles up. This is true in our lives. When we turn to God, He gives us hope that He is working in the chaos. Our job is to turn to Him and hold on. ## Application: Turn your heart over to God and then trust the process. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for delivering us from all “bullies.”