In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally explore Isaiah 8:11–22, a powerful passage calling God’s people to resist fear and trust wholly in the Lord. In a time of national panic and looming invasion, Isaiah is instructed not to think like the fearful crowd but to honor the Lord as holy and sovereign. Curtis and Sally reflect on the relevance of this message today, urging listeners to reject fear-driven mindsets and instead embrace faith, reverence, and obedience.

The conversation highlights the danger of seeking guidance from the dead, the spiritually dead, worldly sources and the importance of clinging to God’s word in times of darkness. Even as Isaiah foretells stumbling and judgment, there is a promise shining through: the hope of the coming Messiah. Jesus, the light of the world, calls us out of darkness and into life.

Join us as we discuss the challenge of keeping God holy in our lives, trusting Him above all else, and living with confident hope in His promises.

In this final stanza of Psalm 119 (verses 169–176), Curtis and Sally reflect on the psalmist’s heartfelt plea for God’s help, discernment, and rescue. They explore the tension between waiting on God’s promises and the reality of suffering, highlighting how prayer and praise can emerge even in the hardest circumstances. Drawing parallels to Job’s endurance and Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep, they emphasize that God hears, sees, and seeks us—especially when we feel most lost. This episode offers a reminder that humility, trust, and faith anchor us as we wait for the Good Shepherd to carry us home.

In this episode, Curtis and Sally explore Isaiah 8:1-10, where God commands Isaiah to name his son Maher-shalal-hash-baz—a prophetic sign of the swift Assyrian invasion. They discuss how Judah’s rejection of God's gentle provision in favor of Assyrian protection leads to devastating consequences. Yet even amid judgment, God’s presence remains. Through imagery of floods and promises of divine vindication, the hosts reflect on the tension between God’s discipline and love, and the dangers of trusting worldly power over God’s steady care.

In this episode, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 119:161–168, the “Shin” section, which highlights the peace and stability found in loving and obeying God’s Word. Despite facing harassment and chaos in a broken world, the psalmist rejoices in the truth and justice of God’s commands. Curtis and Sally explore themes of trust, obedience, and love, drawing connections to Jesus' call to die to self and follow Him. They emphasize that true peace comes not from our circumstances, but from remaining in God's truth and resting in His presence.

In this episode of Arise + Abide, Sally and Curtis reflect on Isaiah 7 and God’s message to King Ahaz during a time of crisis. Despite Ahaz’s idolatry and alliance with Assyria, God extends grace, urging him to stand firm in faith and even offering a sign of His deliverance. But Ahaz refuses, prompting Isaiah to deliver the prophetic sign of Immanuel—“God with us.” Through this passage, Sally and Curtis explore God’s unwavering faithfulness, His desire for relationship over control, and how He invites us to trust Him even when we feel unsteady. God continues to reach out with rescue, redemption, and the promise of His presence.

In this episode of Arise+Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 119:153-160, a heartfelt plea for God’s rescue grounded in love for His Word. As the psalmist cries out for help amidst suffering and betrayal, Curtis and Sally explore how obedience to God’s commandments prepares us to turn to Him in our most desperate moments. The discussion draws connections to Jesus as our ultimate advocate and redeemer—the one who not only takes our side, but takes our place. Listeners are encouraged to rest in the truth of God’s everlasting Word and His unfailing love, which revives and transforms our lives.

In this episode of Arise + Abide, Sally and Curtis dive into 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28, exploring the reign of King Ahaz and Judah’s deepening spiritual decline. Unlike his father Jotham, Ahaz chooses political strategy over faithful dependence on God—offering temple treasures to Assyria for protection and sacrificing his own sons in pagan rituals. As Judah suffers military defeat and moral collapse, a surprising act of mercy emerges when Israel’s army, rebuked by the prophet Oded, returns captives and plunder in an act of repentance. Sally and Curtis reflect on misplaced trust, the dangers of looking to the world for solutions, and the steadfast hand of God that moves even in seasons of rebellion and despair. Through this cautionary tale, listeners are reminded that God's help is near and His mercy still reaches into the darkest chapters of our story.

In this episode of Rise and Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on the deeply personal and vulnerable cries found in Psalm 119:145–152. The psalmist’s desperate plea for rescue is not just a call for relief, but a heartfelt expression of devotion and trust in God’s enduring truth. Curtis explores how adversity still finds us even in faithful obedience, while Sally shares how sleepless nights have become moments for prayer and spiritual connection. Together, they uncover how God’s nearness and eternal promises offer strength and peace in the face of fear, distraction, and spiritual attack.