God's victory – Be Still…

2 Chronicles 20:1-37 – God’s Victory

Read 1 Chronicles 20:1-37

How can you read a passage like this and not be changed? What I mean by that is how life-changing it is to see God at work. Reading accounts of God’s mighty intervention in the lives of his people is both encouraging and uplifting.

It’s easy for us to get caught up in our routines and start taking our blessings for granted. At some point, we are likely to hit a wall or be tempted or be ridiculed for our faithful living. How quickly our perfect existence can be marred by the unexpected attack.

Ezra 6:13-18 – The Dedication

Read Ezra 6:13-18

At last, the temple was completed. The people had successfully fulfilled God’s vision and command with the help of three Persian kings. What an amazing feat!

Can you imagine the emotions that were flowing amongst the Israelite people? I imagine a sense of relief mingled with exhaustion and anticipation for all the ministry that would take place. The people had finally rebuilt the place where God could reside among them. Over these years, the people had stayed focused on their mission and not let the distractions get them off course.

2 Kings 18:13-37 – No Rivalry

Read 2 Kings 18:13-37

typewriter with paper that says, "Authority"

A new king from Assyria was coming for Judah! Hezekiah was going to face some opposition. But really, it was the LORD who was under attack by this new king. Hezekiah’s position was that by putting his trust in the LORD, the LORD would deliver Judah.

It was a bit like déjà vu, I’m sure, for Hezekiah. He had watched Israel fall to the Assyrians earlier on in his reign. He wasn’t going to let that happen to God’s people. He was more than willing to pay whatever earthly bribe it would take to avoid falling to Assyria. I had to wonder what treasures could be left after kings before him had also given tribute money.