Hezekiah had received threats from the King of Assyria concerning his people and his country. This King had already invaded other countries and gained victory over them and took their lands and possessions and their people into captivity. He boasted to Hezekiah and his people about his military strength and power. The Assyrian King even blasphemed against God and told the people not to trust Hezekiah and his confidence in God because this would not save them from the attacks. (Isaiah 36)
The enemy will try to attack our confidence and faith in God and his ability to save us in times of trouble. What I love in the story is Hezekiah’s response. He tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes and went into the house of God. Hezekiah knew that the first person that he needed to turn to for help was God.
The second thing that Hezekiah did was to send the Priests to speak to Isaiah the prophet. In those days the Kings would consult the prophets who they knew were hearing from God for answers to their questions. This was God’s response to Hezekiah through the prophet Isaiah. ‘Thus says the LORD: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard….. I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.’” (Isaiah 37:6-7)
The Assyrian King did not stop with the verbal threats but again sent a letter to Hezekiah. Hezekiah again went up to the house of the LORD, and spread the letter before God. And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD. (Isaiah 37:15) Before Hezekiah was even finished praying God sent another word to him through the prophet Isaiah and assured him of victory over the large Assyrian army. And the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. In the end the Assyrian King returned to his country and was killed by his sons. (Isaiah 37:36-38)
God showed himself strong to Hezekiah and his people because of his response during crisis. Hezekiah’s first response was to run to the house of God to pray and to ask for an answer from God. Hezekiah’s confidence rested in the God who can do the impossible and is able to save to the utmost. What is our response when we face a crisis? Are we going into our place of prayer and are we asking God for help? Don’t rely on your human understanding but put your complete trust and confidence in a God who is mighty to save.
A.P.-Y.
Devotional Inspirations 