First of all, it is important to realize that Isaiah’s words were bold and independent for this age and for the role of the prophet. Royal prophets, or those who had access to the king, would seek a better word and a more positive omen to pronounce than, “You are going to die; you will not recover.” This is an indication of Isaiah’s willingness to speak for the Lord to men instead of speaking for men.

Isaiah’s bold words will cause him great difficulties including martyrdom when spoken to a man in rebellion to God, for example, Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh). But, life altering events occur when the bold truth is spoken to a man of God who takes seriously the things of the Lord.

Hezekiah repents, calls on the promises of God and Isaiah does get a more favorable word from the Lord.

We must remember to speak the truth with confidence and with hope.
We must learn to hear the truth with humbleness and anticipation of God’s good intervention.

24.5% of Americans now say their primary form of spiritual nourishment is meeting with a small group of 20 or less people every week. This is taken from a quote from an online article from HERE:

“(a recently finished) study on alternative faith communities…found that a growing number of people are finding Christian discipleship and community in places other than their local churches. The study found that 24.5% of Americans now say their primary form of spiritual nourishment is meeting with a small group of 20 or less people every week. About 6 million people meet weekly with a small group and never or rarely go to church," Stetzer says. "There is a significant movement happening."

(Research by Ed Stetzer, missiologist and director of the Center for Missional Research at the North American Mission Board (namb.net) of the Southern Baptist Convention)