We find comfort in the scriptures because it is very real. It’s many stories and truths do not whitewash the realities of life. In him we find hope, direction and wisdom for our own lives and our world. He sees all.
King Hezekiah was a good King.
Though the Lord’s people had been turned to worthless idols by the unfaithful King Ahaz before him, he did right by God.
From the first month of his reign, he re-opened, repaired and restored true worship to the temple. Thankfully, most of the people and priests joyfully cooperated with him in seeking their God - Yahweh.
However, despite this glowing appraisal in 2 Chronicles 31:21b....
‘’…he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.’’
…the very first verse of the next chapter, recorded that:
‘’After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, thinking to conquer them for himself.’’
Was brought this on? Was it the peoples past sins? Maybe, or maybe not. What is apparent however, is that by that revival, Hezekiah had unwittingly prepared the hearts of the people for whatever was round the bend. He had given the people the strong spiritual, mental and psychological advantage: a heart at peace with Yahweh their God.
When faced with such threats, hearts devoted to idols will fail. Possessions will fail. Nothing much can stand.
A thriving relationship with the Lord however, will never fail. Hezekiah ''encouraged them with these words: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.''
Words such as Hezekiah's can only have the impact it had on them because their hearts were turned to Yahweh.
Words can be weapons or tools. They can destroy or build. As in the temptation of Jesus Christ, the enemy wields it deftly: Sennacherib’s officers and the Assyrian King wrote letters ridiculing the God of Israel, saying ..: “Just as the gods of the peoples of the other lands did not rescue their people from my hand, so the god of Hezekiah will not rescue his people from my hand”. Nothing but a relationship with Yahweh could have protected the people from crippling fear. The enemy called out in their native language (Hebrew) knowing their words would terrify them and make them afraid so that they could capture the city.
What else gives resilience and courage in the face of such brutal spiritual and psychological attack but a firm relationship with Yahweh through his life-giving word? Judah had turned back to the law of God and ''no word from God will ever fail.” (Luke1:37). Now they had the confidence to cry to the Lord for comfort and inner strength!
And He did not fail them:
Verse 21 ''And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons, his own flesh and blood, cut him down with the sword.''
God’s divine power is the real dependable power. Hezekiah did not know what lay ahead, but he was faithful to do what his heart told him to do to restore the Lord’s people fully to their God. The Lord knows the future and is able to use our obedience, to make sure His flock is prepared.
Prayer:
Father God – Yahweh - in your love, we find the courage to keep going and growing. May your peace and power be greatly manifest in us all and in our world. In Jesus name, Amen.
...............................
'At the beginning I announce the end,
proclaim in advance things not yet done;
and I say that my plan will hold,
I will do everything I please to do.' - the Lord God
Isaiah 46:10
#thegoodshepherd #HisChurch #everymanabiblestudent #thelordcomes #Jesusatthecenter #onefaith #onebaptism #oneLord #transmute #transform
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