Read 2 Chronicles 32:9-23
Have you ever been ridiculed for your faith? Perhaps untruths were spread about something you did or said. That’s what Hezekiah endured as King Sennacherib of Assyria tried to distract the people from listening to Hezekiah’s declaration about how God would sustain them.
All it takes is a little doubt to cause us to stumble in matters of faith. Clearly, Sennacherib was feeling pressured to find success. He did a fine job of tooting his own horn and that of the Assyrian kings who had come before him. By casting a shadow on the trust people had in their God and his servant, Hezekiah, Sennacherib was doing what he thought would be most effective in assuring an Assyrian victory.
Sennacherib underestimated God because he didn’t understand how the extent of Hezekiah’s loyalty and devotion would influence the people. I remember a crafty serpent in the Garden of Eden who cast doubt in Eve’s mind which successfully caused her to stumble.
The scene of the Assyrians mocking the LORD took me back to the hill of Golgotha as our Lord Jesus hung on a cross, dying to be the sacrifice for our sins. He, too, was mocked and abused. It’s no secret that God’s faithful ones are positioned to take abuse or be attacked in some way for our faith and belief system.
When we are feeling the heat because of our faith in Jesus, we can follow Hezekiah’s lead. What did he do? He prayed. He was also joined by another man of God, the prophet Isaiah! It just makes sense in these times of deception that we want to surround ourselves with other faithful people and be close to God in prayer. Some of us are even lucky enough to live our lives like that 24/7. When prayer, that is talking to God, becomes so automatic, and when a person of deep faith is either in your household (like me) or just a phone call away. Priceless.
Hezekiah knew. But do you think his faith wavered even a little from all the taunts and undermining of his authority going on? Hezekiah had proclaimed God would have the victory, and that’s exactly what happened. An angel from God came and did away with the Assyrian army that was so haughty and sure of themselves.
That’s a “God wink” to be sure! Those are the times when you know something happened just the way it did because God made it so. That’s the only way we can explain some things, like miracles. Do miracles still happen? I think so, but unfortunately miracles from God don’t make the news like all of the “bad” stuff does.
So what do think about how God moved in this story? Pretty amazing! I may even feel a little sorry for the Assyrian king. He surely didn’t plan on having his life ended that day. Wasn’t it enough that his army was destroyed? We witness a bit of God’s fury when his people are abused and manipulated.
Stand strong in your faith. We are under attack. Don’t let the doubts choke you and cause you to stumble. Remember who is by your side, and he brings peace.
Let’s pra
y. LORD, you are mighty and full of power. It’s a bit shocking to see how and when your fury releases itself. May I never anger you or cause you to be displeased with me. I know I am a sinful being, but you still love me like crazy. Thanks for loving me despite my messiness. Help me to stand strong when doubts creep in. Strengthen my heart and my mind to be more like you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
