Hezekiah received the [field commander’s] letter from
the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple . . . and spread it
out before the Lord (Isaiah 37:14).
Chapters 36-38 contain three communications from the
Assyrian field commander meant to demoralize and destabilize the people of
Jerusalem. The Assyrian military certainly has the track record to back up his
taunts, but he has never before encountered Yahweh. We could say he doesn’t
know who he’s up against.
On what are you basing this confidence of yours? (36:4). Have the gods of any nations ever delivered their lands from the
hand of the king of Assyria? (36:18). Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all
the countries, destroying them completely. And will you be delivered? (37:11).
And how did Hezekiah respond to these threats? He went
up to the temple . . . and spread it out before the Lord.
We also have an enemy set on destroying us. He will use any
means available to annihilate our faith and replace it with fear. He wants to
demoralize us and destabilize our defenses even though he’s still on the other
side of the brick wall huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf.
Let’s take a lesson from Hezekiah. Now is not the time to
panic. Now is the time to spread it out before the Lord.
TODAY’S MEDITATION
Are you sure you want to
raise a white flag when our God is coming to the rescue? This might be a good
time to pray through 2 Chronicles 20:15-17.
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