The ancient prophet shows us how to stand up to evil even today
By Dean Collins
You work hard, do the right thing, do good work, and your faithfulness is even written down for posterity. What should be the next thing? Maybe a bonus or a raise? Maybe a promotion? Certainly some time off. But it didn’t work out that way for Hezekiah.
His good work, in accordance with the law and the commandments, was documented. He put his whole heart into his work and he prospered. But then the enemy came knocking. The king of Assyria invaded Judah. Sennacherib set up camp and decided he wanted to take Judah for himself.
The certainty of trouble
We cannot prevent bad things or hard things from coming our way. On this side of eternity, there will be many challenges. Being a follower of God doesn’t mean you are immune from problems. In fact, we know from many examples in Scripture that the opposite is actually the case. In a long discussion with the disciples just before Jesus went to the cross, he told them that in this world there will be many challenges. But he also shared this important piece of information: “Take heart, I have overcome the world.”
Hezekiah was one of the good kings. The list of good kings of Judah and Israel is distressingly short, so one would think the good kings might get a free pass on difficulty. But that wasn’t the case. One reason for this is that the world is still in a broken state. The entry of sin into the world through man’s disobedience has perpetuated broken people and broken systems. The good news is that through Jesus there is a path forward and the hope of full restoration when Jesus returns.
Power over any enemy
Hezekiah didn’t have the advantage we have in knowing that Jesus would one day overcome sin and death for all of us. In Hezekiah’s moment of need, he did three important things. He fortified his kingdom, strengthening the walls and preventing enemy access to the water supply. He also called on the Lord and called on his leaders and all of the citizens to pray to God for help and deliverance. Finally, he spoke words of truth and encouragement to the people and practiced what he preached.
Even as the king of Assyria taunted the king’s leaders, Hezekiah stood strong and prayed passionately both in private and in public. “Be strong and courageous” was the beginning of King Hezekiah’s speech. The basis of the king’s confidence was the reality that when God is in the equation, you have more power than any adversary no matter how loud or how large they appear.
Finding real strength
I’m sure it was hard for Hezekiah as he looked out the window of his palace and saw the number of soldiers and supplies the Assyrians had brought with them. But on his knees before the Lord he found the courage to stand strong and wait for the Lord’s rescue. That didn’t mean he did nothing. The king actively fortified the city to fight back, but he knew he needed to fortify the people spiritually. When we go to the Lord in prayer and in worship, God opens channels of inner strength while activating spiritual warriors on our behalf.
Hezekiah experienced the resource Jesus would later demonstrate and Paul would teach us as well; nothing is impossible for God. He is with us at all times and for us in every way.
Whatever you face today you can face by the strength and power of God. Let’s start today with a prayer for God’s strength and for his deliverance!
Your time with God’s Word
2 Chronicles 31:20-21; 32:1, 7-8, 13-16, 20-23; John 16:33 ESV
Photo by Mahdi Bafande from Pexels
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