Day 5: The armies of the living God
Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Who of all the gods of these countries has been able to save his land from me? How then can the Lord deliver Jerusalem from my hand?” (2 Kings 18:33, 35).
Heavenly Father, all of heaven and earth bow before You. You give absolute and emphatic expression of Your sovereignty: Even from eternity I am He, And there is none who can deliver out of My hand; I act and who can reverse it?" (Isaiah 43:13 NASB). Yet sometimes we lose perspective.
King Hezekiah may have, for a moment, when the envoys of the powerful king of Assyria shouted their blasphemous taunts on the Jerusalem road:
Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the Lord when he says, ‘The Lord will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria...’ “Do not listen to Hezekiah, for he is misleading you when he says, ‘The Lord will deliver us.’ (2 Kings 18:30, 32).
Hezekiah appealed to the prophet Isaiah to intercede: "It may be that the Lord your God will hear all the words...the king of Assyria, has sent to ridicule the living God, and that He will rebuke him for the words the Lord your God has heard. Therefore pray for the remnant that still survives” (2 Kings 19:4).
Lord, perhaps because the nation had rebelled against You, or perhaps because the king was overwhelmed and discouraged by the threat of powerful Assyria, Hezekiah seemed doubtful and unsure. He did not exude the confidence of the young David, who wondered at the foolish, reckless, audacity of a powerful enemy giant who dared defy the armies of the living God (1 Samuel 17:26).
But You are a merciful Deliverer, and You work mightily on behalf of those who bear Your name, and against those who defy You with boastful arrogance. You assure us of Your saving help, even when You have to remind us:
"Do not fear the reproach of mere mortals or be terrified by their insults....Who are you that you fear mere mortals, human beings who are but grass, that you forget the Lord your Maker, who stretches out the heavens and who lays the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction?" (Isaiah 51:7,12-13).
Father, we live in a world that can be cold, cruel and vicious. Even the Lord Jesus faced criticism, disapproval, opposition, hostility, and malevolence from the religious establishment, political forces, individuals, and groups. But He carried out the will of the Father with courage, focus, and determination. He asks us to do the same.
Keep us centered on Your kingdom, Your power, Your glory even in the midst of tears, jeers, taunts and threats. Thank You for Your words of assurance, “I, even I, am He who comforts you" (Isaiah 51:12). Strengthen our hearts with the message You sent to King Hezekiah through the prophet: "This is what the Lord says: 'Do not be afraid...'" (2 Kings 19:6).
