AWAKE BIBLE IN A YEAR JULY 21
Read Isaiah 36-37, 2 Kings 18:9-37, 2 Kings 19, 2 Chronicles 32:1-23, Psalms 76
How do you handle a threat to your confidence in GOD? Hezekiah is a King under tremendous pressure. The short from: YOU SERVE A GOD WHO IS GOD. When you are in the press pray like Hezekiah, ‘let our family, lives, business take root below and bear fruit above.
Consider the players in the immediate war threat between the nation of Judah and invaders Assyria. JUDAH’S TEAM GOD HIMSELF, Prophet Isaiah, King Hezekiah, his 3 amigos (top leaders, ELIAKIM the palace administrator, SHEBNA the secretary, JOAH the recorder). Their opposition ASSYRIAN TEAM, Sennacherib King of Assyria, his 3 leaders (2 Kings 18:17 the chief officer, the supreme commander, the field commander).
Hezekiah and Sennacherib both reference confidence. Confidence is key when you are under pressure. Saying truth to people matters. The 3 Assyrian leaders attempt multiple times to intimidate and persuade the people to not listen to Hezekiah. He lies, he is misleading, etc! Don’t let him convince you to trust in GOD. How can the Lord deliver you from my hand?
HEZEKIAH “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.” 2Chronicles 32:7-8 NIV
When you are in the pressure cooker be careful who you believe! Believe GOD. Believe Psalm 55:22!
Still the field commander even attempts to dissuade Hezekiah!
“The field commander said to them, “Tell Hezekiah: “ ‘This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours?” 2 Kings 18:19 NIV The dialogue is full of gloating and blasphemy against GOD.
Hezekiah takes the invading threat which degrades the GOD of Hezekiah lumping him in with clay and stone, all gods of those Assyria conquered. The leader of Judah responds in humility and prayer. He spreads the letter before the Lord in his temple. We can do likewise in our troubles. His prayer petitions the supremacy and dominion of GOD, ‘show all the kingdoms of the EARTH you, LORD, are the only GOD.’ And GOD DOES! Psalm 76 is right, Human defiance only enhances your glory!
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