Rely on the Lord Alone; 2 Chron. 32

May the mumbling commence!

In the grips of terror and in the midst of the enemy, whom do you turn to?  King Hezekiah led his people well when surrounded by the Assyrian army.  Read from 2 Chronicles 32:6-8 –

            He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words:  "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." And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

I need to constantly remind myself: the One for me is greater than the one against me.  Sometimes it seems like the deck of cards is stacked against me.  Flesh, a creation of God, is subordinate to the Creator.  It is an easy truth to forget when we live in a world where it seems that only the tangible counts for anything.  Not much has changed over the many years.  Read the Assyrian King’s taunt and Israel’s response from 2 Chronicles 32:19-23 –

            They spoke about the God of Jerusalem as they did about the gods of the other peoples of the world – the work of men's hands. 

            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 leaders 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 cut him down with the sword. 

            So the Lord saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all others. He took care of them on every side.  Many brought offerings to Jerusalem for the Lord and valuable gifts for Hezekiah king of Judah. From then on he was highly regarded by all the nations.

How can anyone compare the living Lord to idols that are made of wood and stone – creations of lowly humanity?  King Hezekiah and the Prophet Isaiah cried out it prayer.  Is this our most likely response when someone threatens us and desecrates our faith?  Likely not.  But it is the response that the living Lord expects of us. 

This response brings out the protection of God.  This response brings not only current church members to worship the Lord but it also brings former members and people off the street.  This response relies totally on the Lord and brings adoration and praise to Him.  Doing these things is what God created us for – that is why they give us so much joy when we do them.

Rely on the Lord Almighty alone.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out