The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Chronicles 32:14b,
"How then can your god deliver you from my hand?"
These words were spoken by Sennacherib, the King of Assyria against the God of King Hezekiah of Judah.
When word came to Hezekiah that Sennacherib was invading Judah, he encouraged the people by telling them, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles." Verses 7-8.
Hearing what Hezekiah had told his people, Sennacherib tried to shake the confidence of the people of Judah by reminding them of all of his conquests, and that the God of Judah could not possibly save them from his hand.
Where Sennacherib had conquered pagan nations whose "gods" could not save them, Judah's God was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Here is what happened: "King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons, his own flesh and blood, cut him down with the sword." Verses 20-21.
"How then can your god deliver you from my hand?"
These words were spoken by Sennacherib, the King of Assyria against the God of King Hezekiah of Judah.
When word came to Hezekiah that Sennacherib was invading Judah, he encouraged the people by telling them, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles." Verses 7-8.
Hearing what Hezekiah had told his people, Sennacherib tried to shake the confidence of the people of Judah by reminding them of all of his conquests, and that the God of Judah could not possibly save them from his hand.
Where Sennacherib had conquered pagan nations whose "gods" could not save them, Judah's God was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Here is what happened: "King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons, his own flesh and blood, cut him down with the sword." Verses 20-21.
Sennacherib had no idea who he had aligned himself against. In his arrogance of not knowing, he attempted to challenge the confidence of God's people.
While we are not facing the same type of context as Hezekiah and the people of Judah in his day, the very same thing takes place today. People who do not know God attempt to shake the confidence of God's people.
Every vestige of God's presence in our nation is under attack. Copies of the commandments of God are removed from courtrooms. Christmas displays in the pubic square are removed, coaches are fired for daring to pray with their students before games, and on and on. Those who are on the attack have no idea who it is they are opposing. One day they will.
God's people have no cause for fear, no cause for dismay today. Just as in Hezekiah's day, our God stands by our side.
Take heart and be encouraged!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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