~Old Testament Scenarios~
2 Chronicles
The king also wrote letters insulting the LORD, the God of Israel, and saying this against him: “Just as the gods of the peoples of the other lands did not rescue their people from my hand, so the god of Hezekiah will not rescue his people from my hand.” Then they called out in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to terrify them and make them afraid in order to capture the city.
2 Chronicles 32:17-18 (NIV)
" Feel Like Turning in the Towel?"
Hezekiah’s “walls of security” were being threatened, and it looked as if the bottom was dropping out from his little secure world, possibly making him feel defenseless. Did he question, that if he was doing God’s work and he was a part of bringing revival to the land (and into the hearts of the people), then why was this opposition happening? Haven’t we secretly also wondered if we were also “doing all these great things for God”, then why has calamity come our way? (Come on, you know you have). Because we often think, doesn’t 1+2 ALWAYS = 3? But that is “formula thinking” and that is not how the Lord works.
When we view this situation for ourselves, we can see that this king of Judah (unlike his father) was standing up for righteousness. He was uniting all the people (even those few remnants left in the Northern territory) by helping to revive the people back to worship; sanctifying themselves again and re-establishing the feast in order to honor God. So you wouldn’t think God would allow Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, to come and try to put a stop to these great efforts. But there it was--the threat. An army of 185,000 men encamped just outside the city walls putting fear into the people by taunting them with the threat reminding them that their "northern brothers", the tribes of Israel, were easily taken captive, and that these former tribe members once trusted in the same God as Hezekiah. Sennacherib and his army spoke blasphemy against the Lord God Almighty.
Any threat looming over you right now? A possible a pink slip from work, a cyber bully, stocker, lawsuit, divorce, or even a threatening neighbor over a barking dog? Are you feeling defenseless, fearful, or just maybe your pride is starting to rise up simmering with rage as you try to defend yourself? Feeling unstable, ready to give up and turn in the towel?
Hezekiah went into action; not only by stopping the outside water supply to this foreign army, but more importantly, he gathered his own people to encourage them. He helped the people get their eyes off the problem (the 185,000 men outside the city gates waiting to attack) and to instead put their trust in the God of the impossible! For what is it to God if they are totally outnumbered, that is nothing to Him. The prophet Isaiah had given a Word from the Lord to Hezekiah to rest and trust for they would be delivered. They knew Miqweh Yisrael, "Hope of Israel", and so they would not fear.
Do you know the Lord like that? Have you trusted in Jesus like that? We can learn from this great example when threats loom overhead and try to consume our thoughts. While the people within the city walls were sleeping, God dispatched one angel (He just needed 1 angel!!) who wiped out the entire Assyrian army. What a site that must have been for the people when they arose in the early morning hours. What will God see through to the very end regarding His purpose in your life, if you will only wait and trust in Him? Hang on, because with the dawn of every morning, comes new insights, revelations and promises.
This is your day; God has given it to you. What will you do with it? As life continues at a hectic pace and there are times when situations or people are against you, will you choose to walk in great faith in the God who knows you and your needs? Choose today to fall in love with Him all over again. As you trust, shine that truth to others so they too can be encouraged.