Answer Me Quickly
Arise and Abide
In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 143, a raw and urgent prayer that cries out, “Answer me quickly, Lord.” David finds himself overwhelmed—pursued by enemies, afraid, and on the brink of despair—yet he anchors his plea not in his own righteousness, but in God’s unfailing faithfulness. As the conversation unfolds, Curtis and Sally explore the powerful gospel theme woven throughout the psalm: God rescues not because we deserve it, but because He is good. David’s prayer models a posture of humility—acknowledging sin, remembering God’s past...
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A Message for Rebellious Judah
Arise and Abide
In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally read Isaiah 1:1–31, a powerful opening message addressed to rebellious Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah’s vision confronts a people who continue their religious rituals while failing to recognize the Lord or reflect His heart through justice, obedience, and compassion. The conversation explores God’s sharp indictment of empty worship—sacrifices and prayers offered without repentance or care for the oppressed—and His call to something deeper. Curtis and Sally reflect on Isaiah’s striking imagery of a nation that is wounded, sick, and...
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A Psalm of David Regarding His Experience in the Cave, a Prayer.
Arise and Abide
In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 142, a prayer of David written during his time in the cave—a moment marked by fear, isolation, and deep dependence on God. As David cries out with honesty and desperation, he models a pattern we see throughout the Psalms: pouring out complaints before the Lord, acknowledging feelings of abandonment, and then slowly turning toward hope as he remembers who God is. The conversation explores how David’s circumstances were filled not only with physical danger, but also with subtle traps—temptations to take matters into his...
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Foreigners Settle in Israel
Arise and Abide
In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally explore 2 Kings 17:24–41, a sobering passage that follows the fall of Samaria and the resettlement of the land by foreign nations. As Assyria relocates people from across its empire into Israel, the newcomers attempt to worship the God of the land—yet they also cling tightly to their former gods and practices. The hosts unpack the strange and unsettling moment when lions are sent among the people, examining both the historical context and the deeper symbolism of God’s righteous authority, strength, and judgment. Even when a priest is...
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Psalms 141, A Psalm of David
Arise and Abide
In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 141, a heartfelt prayer of David that invites us into a posture of humility, dependence, and trust in God. As David cries out for the Lord to “hurry” and hear his prayer, the conversation explores what it means to approach God honestly while recognizing Him as our true refuge. Together, they unpack David’s request for God to guard his words, restrain his heart from drifting toward evil, and help him receive correction as a kindness rather than a burden. The discussion highlights the subtle danger of spiritual...
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Samaria Falls to Assyria
Arise and Abide
In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally walk through 2 Kings 17:6–23 and 2 Kings 18:10–12, passages that recount the fall of Samaria and the exile of Israel. Together, they reflect on how years of persistent disobedience, idolatry, and refusal to listen to the Lord ultimately led to Israel being swept away from His presence. The conversation traces Israel’s gradual spiritual decline—following pagan nations, introducing new forms of worship, rejecting God’s covenant, ignoring prophetic warnings, and placing trust in lies rather than in the Lord who had rescued them from...
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The End of the Northern Kingdom
Arise and Abide
In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally continue their chronological journey through the Old Testament, reading from 2 Kings 17:15,18:9 and Isaiah 28. Together, these passages reveal the downfall of Samaria, the consequences of misplaced trust, and God’s patient, persistent call to His people. As Assyria lays siege to Samaria, Isaiah’s prophetic imagery exposes a nation meant to be a “glorious crown” but now marked by pride, excess, and spiritual blindness. The hosts reflect on striking images from the text—fading flowers, crumbling refuges, and tables covered in...
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Our God Who Rescues
Arise and Abide
In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 140, a raw and honest prayer for rescue in the face of violence, evil, and hidden schemes. As David cries out for protection, the hosts explore how the psalm moves from urgent plea to confident trust—reminding us who God is when circumstances feel overwhelming. The conversation highlights God as the strong rescuer, the One who sees hidden traps, opposes pride, and ultimately brings justice to the oppressed. Curtis and Sally discuss the tension between praying for deliverance from enemies and praying in a way that honors...
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My People Will Again Live Under My Shade
Arise and Abide
In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally conclude the book of Hosea by walking through chapter 14, a powerful invitation to repentance, healing, and restoration. After the warnings and judgment of chapter 13, Hosea 14 offers hope—calling God’s people to return with confession, humility, and renewed trust in the Lord alone. Together, they explore God’s clear instructions for repentance: acknowledging sin, renouncing misplaced trust in idols, power, and self-reliance, and returning to the One who truly saves. Curtis and Sally reflect on God’s promise to heal faithlessness,...
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Search My Heart
Arise and Abide
In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 139, a deeply personal prayer that invites God to search, know, and lead the human heart. Together, they walk through David’s words that proclaim God’s complete knowledge of us, His constant presence, and His intimate role as Creator—knitting us together even in the hidden darkness of the womb. The conversation explores the tension within the psalm: the impossibility of hiding from God, paired with the profound comfort of knowing we are never lost or abandoned by Him. Curtis frames Psalm 139 as a prayer of...
info_outlineIn this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 137, a passage that captures the experience of the Israelites living in exile. The psalm describes their sorrow, their memories of Jerusalem, and the difficulty of singing joyful songs in a place that feels far from home.
The conversation explores how the psalmist’s longing for Jerusalem reveals a renewed appreciation for what was lost, as well as the honest emotions that come with hardship—grief, frustration, and the desire for justice. Curtis and Sally discuss the historical context of the Psalm, the role of perspective during challenging seasons, and how these ancient experiences invite us to consider our own responses when life feels unsettled or uncertain.
They also reflect on how followers of Christ today can continue to honor God in difficult circumstances, drawing attention to themes of hope, forgiveness, and trusting God’s timing. Even in moments that feel like “exile,” the episode highlights the steady truth that God remains present, just, and faithful.
A thoughtful, grounded conversation about remembering where our joy comes from and how to stay connected to God in every season.