LINK: 2 Kings 19
BACKGROUND
Yesterday, we left Hezekiah under threat of attack by Assyria's king Sennacherib. He immediately turned to the Lord and sent word to Isaiah asking for help from the Lord. Rabshakeh, the commander of Assyria's army, had not only threatened Jerusalem but had declared that Judah's God could not rescue the people from his hand. But God showed Rabshakeh that he truly was a powerful God, not like the gods of the other nations. Even without a battle, Hezekiah defeated Sennacherib because the Lord struck the troops, killing 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. So Assyria withdrew, and Sennacherib was assassinated when he was worshiping one of his false gods.
Also, many commentators believe that Psalm 76 was written by Asaph in response to this situation.
REFLECTION
Hezekiah's prayer is a great demonstration of his faith. His request to be rescued is not only for his own benefit but also because the enemy has insulted God. He wants God's power to be demonstrated that "all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God."
APPLICATION
Hezekiah was confident in the Lord because he knew the word of the Lord and his character. He fully trusted God to remain true to what he had revealed in his word. Although Satan will attack our faith like he did Hezekiah's, we can also have confidence in the Lord. But our confidence must be based on what God says in his word, not our own ideas of who God is. God is completely commited to his own glory and to keeping his promises. The more we understand God from our study of the Bible, the more we can pray in line with Him, and the more God will answer our prayers.
PRAYER
Father, when Satan tries to shake our confidence in you, help us to remember who you really are and trust in you to bring glory to your name and to be faithful in keeping your promises. Teach us to have faith like Hezekiah, who relied on you and your word. Amen.
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