Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said: “O LORD, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O LORD, and hear; open your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. So now, O LORD our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O LORD, are God alone.” -2 Kings 19:14-19
In my prayer time this morning, I began to think about King Hezekiah, who was in Jerusalem when the Assyrians were making threats, mocking God, and boasting of their military prowess. The King’s orders to His people were not “Sling insults back and say, ‘my God is bigger than your gods.’” He did not tell them to attack. He took the words that were said on a scroll, and took it to the Lord. Then, Hezekiah waited. God took care of the Assyrians, and Hezekiah plundered their camp.
Why am I talking about this story? Because Hezekiah’s great faith should be an example to us all: whatever we face, we should go in humility before the Lord and give it over to Him, then stop struggling, stop fighting and completely trust that God has it handled. Does this mean everything will always work as we want it to? Absolutely not. Jesus, in the Garden prayed that the cup of judgement He was about to drink would be taken from Him, but then prayed “not mine but Your will be done.” Jesus models this same trust in His worst moment, and so, as Hezekiah, others and, especially Jesus did, we should give our triumphs, tragedies, worries, woes, and labors over to God… then let Him keep it! Loved ones, He is more than sufficient. The worst that can happen is we die, and if we do, it is the best thing for us! Jesus died, rose and lives, seated at the right hand of the Father to reconcile us to Him! So cast your cares on Him. He cares for you. 1 Peter 4:12-5:11
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And
“If the righteous is scarcely saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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