In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally reflect on Psalm 144, a prayer of praise that declares God as our rock, fortress, and rescuer. Before David asks for deliverance, he first names who God is—faithful, powerful, and deeply attentive to His people. The hosts explore how this order matters: worship and trust come before petition.

As the conversation unfolds, Curtis and Sally highlight the tension between human frailty and God's care. David's question—"What are human beings that you should notice them?"—becomes an invitation into humility, reminding us that our worth and security are not self-made but rooted in God's love and attention. They contrast this biblical humility with modern messages of self-sufficiency, pointing instead to an identity grounded in belonging to God.

The episode also reflects on God as provider and protector—not only rescuing individuals but blessing entire communities with peace, abundance, and stability. Drawing connections to Isaiah, the wilderness narratives, and the New Testament, Curtis and Sally emphasize that everything we depend on ultimately flows from the Lord. Psalm 144 becomes both a song of trust and a call to place our hope fully in God, who prepares us for what lies ahead and holds the victory over every battle we face.

In this episode of Arise + Abide, Curtis and Sally continue their journey through the opening chapter of Isaiah by reflecting on Isaiah 1:21–31, a passage that confronts the spiritual corruption of Jerusalem and the leaders who once upheld justice and righteousness. What was meant to be a faithful city has become compromised—its leaders driven by greed, its worship emptied of truth, and its people disconnected from the life-giving presence of the Lord.

As the conversation unfolds, Curtis and Sally explore God's sharp yet hopeful imagery: silver refined from slag, a city washed clean, and a garden restored by living water. Though the passage speaks strongly of judgment, it is also filled with promise. God does not abandon His people; instead, He commits to a painful but purposeful process of cleansing and restoration. Justice will return. Righteousness will be revived. Wise counselors will be raised up again.

The episode also draws connections between Israel's leaders, the religious authorities in Jesus' time, and the ongoing human temptation to misuse power. Curtis and Sally reflect on how leadership—when disconnected from God—can easily drift into self-preservation rather than service. Yet the passage ultimately calls listeners back to hope: God Himself will rule, restore, and reign. True justice and righteousness are not achieved through human effort alone, but through humility, repentance, and dependence on the Lord, who alone is worthy to sit on the throne.

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 faithfulness, and asking to be taught and led by God's Spirit even in the midst of distress.

This episode invites listeners to consider how seasons of hardship become opportunities to remain deeply dependent on the Lord. Drawing connections to Jesus' words in John 15 and the promise of God's patient mercy, Curtis and Sally remind us that fruitfulness flows from abiding, even when hope feels thin. Psalm 143 ultimately calls us to trust God's character when outcomes are unclear and to lift our hands toward Him, thirsty for His presence like parched land longing for rain.