Around 720 BC, Sennacherib, King of Assyria, was the most powerful king of the time. What he controlled in terms of soldiers, chariots and equestrians was enough to strike fear into the heart of any king. Whoever dared to cross Sennacherib would be left devastated and after battle would have to forfeit all their possessions to the Assyrians. Even Israel was no
match for them.
The Assyrian army conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and many of the fortifi ed cities of southern Judea. Therefore, when Sennacherib sent a threat to King Hezekiah, there was indeed reason for panic. “… “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! Thus says the king: ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he shall not be able to deliver you from his hand; nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, “The LORD will surely deliver us; this city shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.”’… Has any of the gods of the nations at all delivered its land from the hand of the king of Assyria? … Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their countries from my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem from my hand?’” (2 Kings 18:28-30,33, 35)
Maybe, like the Israelites, you face problems which are threatening to ruin your life. These could be family issues, debts, marital disputes or a health problem. Perhaps you’ve lost focus on your future. You’ve been planning something great for the future, but this one problem is robbing you of any chance for future happiness. You start asking: Where is the power of God in my life? Where is God? The Prophet Isaiah asked the same questions: “… Where are Your zeal and Your strength, the yearning of Your heart and Your mercies toward me? Are they restrained? Doubtless You are our Father, though Abraham was ignorant of us, and Israel does not acknowledge us. You, O LORD, are our Father; Our Redeemer from Everlasting is Your name.” (Isaiah 63:15-16)
Dear reader, in the midst of all your problems, tears, frustration and pain, God is there. He is your Father and wants to help you. However, He needs you to trust in Him. God needs you as His child, to believe and have faith that He will deliver you from your problem, as He did for the Israelites. The challenge lies between you and your Sennacherib (the problem you’re facing). Will you place this problem in God’s hand and not allow doubts to destroy the battle plan? If you do, this is what God will do to your problem: “By the way that he came, By the same shall he return; and he shall not come into this city,’ says the LORD. ‘For I will defend this city, to save it for
My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.’” (2 Kings 19:33-34)
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