Preparing for the Lord's Day
Kingdoms in Conflict
Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister during World War II once remarked, “It was thanks to ULTRA that we won the war.” — ULTRA was a top-secret operation to decode German communications encrypted on the Enigma machine. While the war for ground, air, and the sea raged on, there was another war occurring, the war for information. And once the British had cracked the code of Enigma, they gained the upper hand in the war. They were able to respond to Rommel’s moves in North Africa before he made them. They were able to see where the German U-boats were planning an attack before the attack occurred. And according to Churchill, it was this battle for knowledge that turned the tide of the war. The Allies had to surround the Nazis with their knowledge before they could surround them with their armies.
In our passage for this Sunday, we return to the war between Syria and Israel. We find that Syria is continually foiled in their attempts to surprise Israel. In their frustration, the Syrian King attempts one more raid on Israel but again his army finds themselves completely surrounded. And what we will see is that the Lord surrounds all people with his knowledge, his presence, and his power. To prepare for the sermon take time this week to read and to meditate upon 2 Kings 6:8-23, Psalm 135:6; 139, Isaiah 41:10, Romans 8:37-39, and Westminster Confession of Faith 2.1.
This week we will celebrate that sacrament of the Lord’s Supper during our worship service. As we receive the elements of bread and wine look in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. For as we physically receive the signs of the Lord’s body and blood, spiritually we feed upon him and all his benefits. Our hymns for this week include “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise,” “Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners!” and “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name.”
Text: 2 Kings 6:8-23
Title: Surrounded
Outline:
- We are Surrounded by God’s Knowledge ( vv. 11-14)
- We are Surrounded by God’s Presence (vv. 15-19)
- We are Surrounded by God’s Power (vv. 20-23)