MANY STOOD in line waiting to board their flights for Thanksgiving, while others lined up waiting to be tested for the virus.
Everyone is social-distancing and trying to keep safe, but it seems that our leaders are flying blind.
Their conflicting messages do not help—and we are deeply humbled by what we do not know.
However, we serve the One who knows all things—and the truth must be told.
The Narrative
WHEN SENNACHERIB, the king of Assyria, took Judah's fortified cities, Hezekiah sent him a message.
"I confess that what I have done is wrong! Please leave now, and I will personally pay the penalty of my own actions." (2 Kings 18:14)
And when the king of Assyria demanded eleven tons of silver and one ton of gold, Hezekiah gathered what he could get from the king's treasuries and God's temple.
He even stripped off the gold from the doorposts and doorknobs, and he gave it all to him.
However, Sennacherib wasn't satisfied. He sent a large army to Jerusalem.
And when they called out to the king, his lawyer, administrator and reporter came out to meet them.
You're living in a world of make-believe, of pious fantasy. Do you think that mere words are any substitute for military strategy and troops? (2 Kings 18:19-20)
Problem Expander
WHEN RABSHAKEH shouted on top of his voice, he wanted everyone to hear.
He magnified the problem and queried Hezekiah's confidence in God.
Sennacherib trusted in his prowess—he did not realize that Israel's defeat was because they sinned against God, and God allowed them to go into captivity. (2 Kings 17:18-20)
Dream Harasser
HEZEKIAH had a dream for his people to return them to God, but Rabshakeh harassed him. (2 Kings 18:5)
"Now that you've revolted against me, who can you expect to help you? You thought Egypt would, but Egypt's nothing but a paper tiger—one puff of wind and she collapses; Pharaoh king of Egypt is nothing but bluff and bluster."
One trick in the enemy's tool kit is harassment. He will use people to try and intimidate you, but you must not succumb.
The same God who demands that you be brave is the same One who provides courage.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged; for the Lord, your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
Mistake Distributors
IF YOU'VE made a mistake, there's still hope. All you must do is go to God, ask for forgiveness and change your ways.
When Hezekiah offered the enemy what he asked for, he played by the enemy's rule, and that was a big mistake.
He forgot that humans do not make the weapons we use in our fight. Rather, they are powerful weapons from God. (2 Corinthians 10:4)
God has not called us to be comfortable but to trust him so completely that we are unafraid to put ourselves in situations where we will be in trouble if he doesn't come through - Francis Chan.
God has a faithful account of all that concerns you
Progress Arrestor
SENNACHERIB tried to stop the people of God by sending Hezekiah a threatening chit.
And when Hezekiah read his letter, he went into the temple and laid it on the floor before the Lord.
Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God. (2 Kings 19:19)
What do you do when you face adversity?
Hezekiah understood that he had to pray. He knew that the shortest distance between a challenge and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor – Charles Stanley.
He cried out, and God spoke to Prophet Isaiah—that night, the Lord sent an angel who put to death one hundred and eighty-five thousand soldiers in the Assyrian camp. (2 Kings 19:35)
Sennacherib returned to Nineveh. And one day, while worshipping in the temple of one of his gods, his sons killed him.
Now, you may be experiencing darkness—it could be doubt, lack, failure, or the pandemic, but one thing I know is that God will show up.
His light will shine. He will break forth and come through the shadows of death.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
THE EPIC HERO in life cannot save himself. He needs someone from the outside to save him.
One breathtaking concept of God is that he has everything planned out. He has a faithful account of all that concerns you.
Never forget that your redemption will come from outside of you—it will come from God.
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