2 Kings 19:15-20 (NKJV) “Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: “O LORD God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. Now therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God, You alone.” Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard.’”
Devotion
In the previous chapter of today’s theme scripture, the Bible tells us “Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him” (2 Kings 18:5). This trust is proven when a battle with the Assyrians is on the horizon. Hezekiah takes the threat directly before the LORD, seeking not only His protection but also praising Him for who He is. Hezekiah begs the LORD to listen, to open His eyes.
Have you ever been that desperate? Have you been to the point of begging the LORD just to listen? The Assyrian enemy pushed Hezekiah here, and our enemy, Satan, pushes us to this point as well. We have the answer here in scripture to the enemy’s tactics, to the threat of a battle with the forces of evil, take it before the LORD in desperation. Hezekiah knew who God was, and we do too. We know the victory was won on the cross. We know that God promises the righteous will never be forsaken. We know that He is faithful, constant, and unchanging. We know that He orders angels to protect us, that He keeps even our foot from slipping. When we approach the LORD in prayer in a time of crisis, the enemy must then submit to who God is too. The LORD tells Hezekiah He has heard his cry, He told Israel He heard their cry in Egypt, and Psalm 34:17 tells us that when the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles – He hears our cries too.
We are either in a trial, coming out of a trial, or about to go into one. Battles with the enemy are certain until that glorious day that Christ comes again, but victory in these battles is promised. Come to the LORD with your whole heart, let down the walls, praise Him for who He is, and ask for His hand to move. Jesus is at His right hand, praying for you as you cry out, and with that, you are sure to overcome the battle.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I confess that I tend to lose trust and confidence against far weaker opponents than the Assyrian army, much less Satan himself. I pray that this process of fasting and prayer and seeking Jesus in Scripture, and in discipleship will grow my trust and confidence to where it needs to be for the future battles You know I need to face. Show me what disciplines I need and how to be faithful in the little things this year so that, when the day of evil comes I will be able to stand and pray in a way that pleases You and brings deliverance to many, as in the example of Hezekiah.
In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Do you face a fearful situation where the actions of another may cause you great harm, or already have? Write it out and literally lay the pages before God. Get on your knees, or even on your face, and cry out to God for relief in the mighty Name of Jesus. Do not be terrified, be in prayer.
Resources:
Reading through the New Testament: Today’s reading - Acts 21-28
21-Day Fasting Journey with Jentezen Franklin
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