Before All Else, Pray
The king of Assyria had threatened God's chosen people. He had mocked the God of the universe. He was full of pride and intent on destruction. And it appeared that there was nothing that could stop the enemy king from his planned destruction.
King Hezekiah's response was to seek the Lord. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t call his cabinet on a strategic planning retreat to figure out how to interrupt the Assyrian’s attack. Hezekiah didn’t have a mighty army ready or capable of defending Judah. Hezekiah chose to put the situation in the hands of Almighty God. He knew only God could save Jerusalem from the Assyrian army. God answered Hezekiah’s prayer by doing what only God could do. God intervened and spared his children from imminent destruction.
But Hezekiah’s troubles were not over. The king became sick shortly after and was on the path to a quick death. Again, King Hezekiah’s response was prayer. God saw the king's heart and humility and sparred him from death, extending his life 15 years.
I don't know about you, but sometimes I'm a little lazy spiritually. Oh, I pray, and I believe in prayer. Many times, I have led initiatives of prayer, calling both small and large groups to pray for a day, a week, a month, or longer. And God is always faithful. He always responds. Sometimes his response appears to come quickly. Other times his response calls for us to wait. Sometimes his answer is what we hoped for, and other times we struggle to understand what God is doing. Sometimes the situation or problem may not resolve the way we want, but God always blesses us in some way, even when we may not see it in the moment. But as we pray, we deepen our roots in God as our helper, our defender, and our savior.
Like Hezekiah, sometimes as soon as we have a victory, we find ourselves with another problem. Another difficulty. Another obstacle. Sometimes our struggles come so fast that we want to wash our hands of all our challenges and give up. But that was not the case with Hezekiah. He took his health problem to God in prayer. In his national crisis and in his personal crisis, Hezekiah made the right decision to place all his troubles in the hands of God.
There really is no better plan or response to illness, enemy attack, difficult situations, financial crisis, family problems and on and on.
Before we run for help, our best plan is to run to God in prayer.
Lord, you are worthy and holy. You are loving and kind. Forgive us when we think we can do it all. We love you, and we ask that today you would intervene in the challenges that face us. You, oh Lord, are a shield for us. Thank you for wisdom, clarity, courage, peace, rest, and resources that only you can provide. Amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Isaiah 37:16-20, 38:1-6, 17 ESV
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