“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)
Do you ever worry? I know I do - too much. I think and rethink things over and over in my mind. I rehash conversations and events until it wears me down. I toss and turn in my sleep trying to figure things out.
I know I'm not alone.
The truth is this... It takes more than will power to stop worrying. You already know that, because you’ve already tried it. You’ve thought, “I shouldn’t worry about this,” and yet you just keep on worrying about it.
It’s going to take more than your willpower to stop worrying. Basically, it's going to take four things to overcome worry.
1. Get To Know God.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:32, “People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things” (MSG).
If you don’t have a relationship with God, you have every reason to worry. You’ve got to get to know God! As a believer, you have a heavenly Father who has promised to take care of you. You are God’s child, and children get special privileges. When you worry, God says, “You’re my child. Why are you acting like an orphan?”
2. Put God First In Every Area Of Your Life.
Matthew 6:31-33 says, “Don’t worry at all about having enough food and clothing …. Your heavenly Father already knows perfectly well that you need them, and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to” (TLB).
Any time you take God out of the center of your life and put anything else there — no matter how good it is — you’re going to worry.
3. Live One Day At A Time.
The Bible says, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34 NCV).
If you’re worrying about tomorrow, you can’t enjoy today. You miss today’s blessings. It’s OK to plan for tomorrow, but you have to live for today. Also, when you’re always worried about tomorrow, the future gets overwhelming. But God will give you the grace and strength you need when you get there. Right now, you only need enough power for today.
4. Trust God To Care.
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT).
How do you do that? One way is to memorize God’s promises in the Bible.
They’re like an insurance policy for believers. When you know something’s covered, you don’t worry about it anymore. Another way is to pray. If you prayed as much as you worried, you’d have a lot less to worry about.
What’s the result of taking these four steps? Incredible peace of mind: “You will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand” (Philippians 4:7a TLB).
Pray this prayer today: “Dear Father, I admit that I often forget that you are with me. I often forget what you’re like. Would you please forgive me for that? I need to get to know you better. I need to get to know your Word and your promises better. Help me to put you first in every area of my life. Help me to live one day at a time. Help me to not worry about tomorrow but instead focus on what you’re doing in my life right now. I want to trust in your promise to take care of every one of my needs — financial, relational, physical, social, spiritual, and emotional. Help me to trust you more and worry less. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
“But the God of Israel is no idol! He is the Creator of everything that exists, including Israel, his own special possession. The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is his name!” Jeremiah 10:16 NLT
I remember one time telling a Hindu person about Christ and what He could do for them, and without hesitation they said yes to Jesus. But I soon realized that they didn't quite understand the message that I was presenting. To them, he was just another "god" to be placed upon their mantle. In their thinking - the more gods they had, the more they would be protected, the more they would prosper. It wasn't about exclusivity, but it was about about accumulating as many gods as they could just in case one was weaker than the other.
Chapter 10 of Jeremiah is a message to people about the "idols" in their lives. God refers to them as decorated pieces of wood that couldn't talk or walk. He compares their power to His power and He questions why people would choose to follow such "stupid" things.
Since the beginning of time the devil has been trying to get man’s allegiance diverted from Almighty God to whomever or to whatever he could. That was really the problem in the Garden of Eden as his ploy to Eve was that if she would eat then she too would be like God, thus taking away from God’s supremacy.
God knows that man is easily distracted by the things that surround him and especially those things involving his fleshly nature. Self-indulgence has always had a stronger pull than self-discipline for mankind.
I suppose that is why when God gave the Ten Commandments He listed as Number One –
“You shall have no other gods before me.”Exodus 20:3 NLT
He then followed that with the Second one which clarified the prohibition of the first -
“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.”Exodus 20:4-6 NLT
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that if you are going to put God first in your heart, soul and mind, you do not have any “wiggle room” for anything or anyone else to supplant the place of God in your life or actions. But we know it isn’t that simple for we are bombarded with conflicting allegiances and through the ages man has succumbed to some form of idolatry.
Idolatry has reared its ugly head in every generation because, as I said in the beginning, the devil wants to divert attention away from God Almighty, the true creator of mankind.
Although we may not have idols and images such as they had in years past, we still have those things or practices that are every bit a form of idolatry as they had. We abound in things which would and do push aside our allegiance to God in some form or another.
Our nation is on a fast track to destruction because it has forgotten its roots in the things of God.
George Washington in his farewell address said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who would labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens…” “Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion.”
One does not have to look too far to see that many of our political leaders have moved far away from the thinking of George Washington and other such leaders that were a part of the founding of this nation.
Jeremiah in our text clearly points out that God will eventually destroy all idolatry. Whether they be the idols – graven images of the past or the indulgences of the present – all are worthless and the objects of mockery. When judgment comes all forms of idolatry will perish.
One might ask about idols in today's world. The truth is that they are all around us. We put many things in front of God - TV, money, people, prestige, pride, and the list could go on and on. It is time for us to let go of those useless idols and truly become a people that is putting God first in everything in our lives.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NLT
“ And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guide you with knowledge and understanding.” Jeremiah 3:15 NLT
I've been pastoring for 40+ years and have seen many leaders come and go. I've sat under some very anointed men of God who have taught me and led me and have ministered to my soul when I was in great need.
There are many types of ministers out there today. There are the sprinters who come in for a season and are gone and then there are the plodders that faithfully pastor and lead the people God has given them day by day.
I hope that I am the latter and have proven that I am in this for the long haul. These are the guys who end up doing marriages and baby dedications and funerals and minister from God's word to generations of families.
According to the dictionary, a pastor is a noun and it is defined as a Christian minister or a priest who is a leader of a congregation. But according to the word of God, a pastor is a shepherd, a under shepherd who leads God’s people, which is the church. The pastor is one who oversees, he leads, he guides, he protects, he teaches, he trains, he counsels, he preaches to, he prays with and for it, and He feeds the church with spiritual food which is the Word of God.
In Jeremiah 3:15, the Lord says, And I will give you pastors according to my heart, which will feed you with knowledge and understanding.” The knowledge and understanding that the pastors are to feed us with is the Word of God.
“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood —over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.”
Acts of the Apostles 20:28 NLT
Yes, the pastor is to feed the church through preaching and teaching the Word of God but what is a pastor after "God's own heart?" Here are a few thoughts.
A pastor according to God’s heart is someone who is:
1. Called by God.
“So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 1:8-9 NLT
2. Chosen by God.
“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” John 15:16 NLT
3. Anointed and Appointed by God.
“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood —over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as elders.” Acts of the Apostles 20:28 NLT
4. Sent by God.
“For “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”” Romans 10:13-15 NLT
5. Given to the church by God.
“Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13 NLT
7. A man of prayer, not just for himself, but for his family, and for the church.
“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”” Matthew 26:41 NLT
8. A man who studies the Word of God that he may present Jesus Christ in his preaching and teaching as the central theme of the gospel message, and that his preaching and his teaching will be considered sound doctrine.
“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 NLT
9. A man who patterns his life after the life of Jesus Christ so he may be example of Jesus Christ before his congregation.
“And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in his glory when he is revealed to the whole world. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor. In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”” 1 Peter 5:1-5 NLT
10. A man who rules and leads well, not just in the church house, but also in his own house..
“Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.” 1 Timothy 5:17 NLT
11. A man who loves God and who loves God’s people.
“You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.”1 Peter 1:22 NLT
12. A man who cares for people. A man who is patient with people. A man who is kind and gentle with people. A man who is humble. A man who is unselfish. A man who is peaceable. A man who has the joy of the Lord as his strength. A man who loves praising and worshipping God and leading his people to worship God. A man who is willing and loves to serve God. A man who loves working with the youth as well as the senior citizens. A man who loves ministering to singles, as well as the married couples. A man who ministers to those in prisons as well as those in the hospitals. A man who believes in doing the right thing and being holy. A man who is courageous and strong in the Lord. A man who will stand up for righteousness, and speak out against sin. A man who is honest and truthful. A man who doesn’t sleep with every woman in town, or steal money from the church. A man with a vision from the Lord.
“When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.” Proverbs 29:18 NLT
13. Last but not least, it must be understood that a pastor according to God’s heart is not a perfect pastor. King David was a man who was after God’s heart, but he was not perfect. But yet God used him mightily to be one of the most powerful kings of Israel, and God used him to write most of the Book of Psalms that we have in our Bibles today. And like wise pastors who are according to God’s heart are not perfect, but God uses them anyway. That is why as church we should pray for our pastors, support our pastors, honor our pastors, love our pastors, take care of our pastors, obey our pastors so they can do the job that they have been called to do without the unnecessary trouble, and to do the job as a pastor with joy and not with grief.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) 17 For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."
There is an old chorus that we once sang in our worship services when I was growing up that went like this:
What a mighty God we serve
What a mighty God we serve
Angels bow before Him
Heaven and Earth adore Him
What a mighty God we serve
We sometimes forget just how mighty our God really is.
Exodus 15:3, "The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name."
Hebrews 12:29, "For our God is a consuming fire."
We are not serving a dead God who cowers in fear or refuses to answer. Our God fights for what is right and holy and just. He does not fear and He is not shaken by our circumstances and troubles. His battle plans are already completed and the victory is won before the battle begins.
What do we have to fear? Surely Satan goes around like a roaring lion, but He cannot destroy anything that God has under His protection.
I believe that the church, and each of us as individuals, who are saved and sanctified, and living for God cannot be defeated by the devil unless we throw up our hands in surrender. Let the battles come! Let the devil roar! Let the heathen rage!
My God is powerful and I will not fear for He is my shelter and my tower of defense!
When the storm is raging around us; when the waves tower over us; and when it seems that there is no more hope – run to Jesus! He is not shaken by those storms. He has the power to calm them and deliver you through them and even make you stronger because of them.
Exodus 15:11, "Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?"
There is no other power that can compare to the Mighty God that I serve. No other god can stand before Him! He defeated the Isis, Horeb and Saab of Egypt! He defeated the pharaohs, the Caesars, and every other man who dared exalt himself above God! My God defeated Baal, He defeated Buddha, Mohammed and every other god you can name. There is none who can stand before Him! What have we to fear? Why do we feed defeated? Why do we shrink from the battle? Why do we turn tail and run from the enemy? OUR GOD IS THE MIGHTY ONE OF ISRAEL! WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR!
How mighty do YOU see God in your life?
- Is your God someone who stands afar and just watches what happens to you without any concern?
- Is your God sleeping and hard to awaken?
- Is your God too concerned with matters of His own to be concerned with event the smallest problems in your life?
- Is your God too weak to supply your every need; to heal even your head colds; to give you food, clothing, or to enable you to pay your bills?
If that’s your picture of God, no wonder we have so much fear!
I don’t know about you, but MY GOD IS MIGHTY enough to handle every situation that faces me! Not only that, but He is also mighty enough to turn it to my good!
My God has arms of strength that are everlasting. He will cast out from me those enemies of my soul and of my life that would attempt to destroy me!
He has given His angles charge over me with orders from God to destroy all who would come against me! WHAT A MIGHTY GOD WE SERVE!
The Mighty God that I serve has all things under His control!
He is the Giver and Taker of Life by His sovereign will and power. He controls the wealth of Heaven and of Earth to accomplish those things for me that are necessary! He reigns in the affairs of men to raise leaders who will do His will and brings down those who will not!
God lifts us up from our life of sin, stuck in the miry clay of despair – He lifts us up, washes off the filth of sin with His own blood that will never lose its power to cleanse. He gives us His undying love and compassion. He fills us with His mercy.
2 Corinthians 9:8, "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"
THE MIGHTY GOD THAT WE SERVE IS ABLE!
He is able to bring every good and perfect gift to you. He is able to meet your every need. He is able to give you life and that much more abundantly!
My God is a mighty God and He always gives us the victory. Give God praise today and thank Him for being the strong God He is on your behalf.
“So they lifted Josiah out of his chariot and placed him in another chariot. Then they brought him back to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried there in the royal cemetery. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him.” 2 Chronicles 35:24 NLT
One of the greatest kings ever recorded in the Bible is a man named Josiah. I've always liked this story, even as a young boy because he became king at the age of 8 years old and changed a nation.
Before we can study the significance of Josiah's life and how he affected his country, we need to first look at a little history of his great grandfather, Hezekiah. His grandfather, Manasseh. And finally his father, Amon.
Hezekiah - His name means "Jehovah does strengthen." He was a man of God. He served on this earth as a prophet, preacher, and King. He is sometimes best remembered for his petition to the Lord when he was sick unto death. The Lord heard his prayer and granted him a lease of life for another 15 years.
Hezekiah was a devout servant of Jehovah. He commenced his reign by repairing and cleansing the temple, reorganizing its religious services and its officers. Hezekiah removed the high places, cast down the brazen serpent which Moses had made, but which had become an object of idolatrous worship. Hezekiah was also a contemporary with the prophet Isaiah.
Manasseh - His name means "making to forget."
He became King at 12 years old in 698 B.C. He ruled until 642 B.C. of which time he died. 56 years was he King of Judah. History tells us that he did more evil and sin then even the wicked evil kings before. He undid everything that his father stood up for. He brought back high places, altars to baal and other gods. He was so wicked that he used his own son as a sacrifice of fire. The prophets warned against him and Isaiah warned against him.
History tells us that Manasseh murdered Isaiah by standing him in the temple courtyard on his head, he then stretched his legs apart and sawed him in two.
Amon - His name is derivative of the Chief sun god who the Egyptians served.
He followed the footsteps of his father. Sources say that he was more wicked than his father even. He became king at the age of 22 and was murdered within two years by some servants in his palace.
There is now 58 years without God. Think about that. Ponder it. There was now 58 years without God's presence!
Josiah - His name means "Jehovah Heals."
Josiah served as king from 8 years old to 39. The greatest spiritual awakening took placed under his reign. It didn't matter to him that he was only 8 years old. It didn't matter to him that there was now 58 years of idol worship to other gods. It only mattered to him that he was going to serve God and use his influence to help others find God also.
Two things were evident when Josiah became King: 1) idols were everywhere, 2) sin was everywhere.
5 Things That Made Josiah Prosperous In His Circumstances
1) Josiah Despised Sin - (34:1-7)
“During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images.” 2 Chronicles 34:3 NLT
2) Josiah Loved God's House - (34:8-18) - when Josiah came to the throne it had been 66 years since there had been a service in the temple. He started services in the house of the Lord again.
“In the eighteenth year of his reign, after he had purified the land and the Temple, Josiah appointed Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of Jerusalem, and Joah son of Joahaz, the royal historian, to repair the Temple of the LORD his God.” 2 Chronicles 34:8 NLT
3) Josiah Loved God's Word - (34:19-30) The Word became central in Josiah's life. Manassah made it law that no one could have a book of the law. This went on for 58 years.
“Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. And the king went up to the Temple of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, along with the priests and the Levites—all the people from the greatest to the least. There the king read to them the entire Book of the Covenant that had been found in the LORD’s Temple.”
2 Chronicles 34:29-30 NLT
4) Josiah Loved God With All His Heart - (34:31) Josiah made a covenant that he would serve God all the days of his life.
“The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the LORD’s presence. He pledged to obey the LORD by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. He promised to obey all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll.”
2 Chronicles 34:31 NLT
5) Josiah Possessed A Mighty Influence - (34:32-33)
“And he required everyone in Jerusalem and the people of Benjamin to make a similar pledge. The people of Jerusalem did so, renewing their covenant with God, the God of their ancestors. So Josiah removed all detestable idols from the entire land of Israel and required everyone to worship the LORD their God. And throughout the rest of his lifetime, they did not turn away from the LORD, the God of their ancestors.
2 Chronicles 34:32-33 NLT
His youth directors name was Hilkiah (he was a high priest) and Josiah listened to him. In the eighth year of his reign he began the attempt to change his own conduct as King, and the life of the court to the laws of God. In his twelfth year he commenced to suppress idolatry and other unlawful worship. In his sixteenth year he began to seek after the Lord. It is at this time that he becomes close friends with Zephaniah. In his eighteenth year he took steps to repair and fix up the temple; While the temple was being built, Hilkiah, (Josiah's youth pastor) found the book of the law in the house of the Lord, and handed it over to Shaphan, who read it to Josiah.
Josiah was impressed that if the people departed from God then dreadful consequences would follow. He tore his clothes and humbled himself before God, who assured him that the disaster would not come in his time. (II Kings 22:8-20)
The king and his and his people then decided to worship God only. They then took all their idols and burned them and through them in the brook of Kidron.
He killed the evil priest upon the altar. Then he concluded by holding a Passover (church service). It had the best attendance since Samuel was prophet.
Josiah died in battle by an arrow wound. Great lamentations were made for him by Jeremiah. The people felt his loss was something that would be hard to overcome.
In a short lived life he changed a nation. He wasn't a prisoner to his circumstances. He didn't care what other people thought. He was unimpressed about what others thought. He stood above them and declared his loyalty to God.
No matter what is happening to you right now - God is still on the throne and His promises do not change or waver. You can be influenced by men or you can be an influencer of men. The choice is yours to make. What will you do?
“The LORD is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.” Nahum 1:7 NLT
I read a story recently that spoke to my heart of a missionary named Allen Gardiner. Allen experienced many physical difficulties and hardships throughout his service as a missionary. Despite his troubles, he said, "While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me." In 1851, at the age of 57, he died of disease and starvation while serving on Picton Island at the southern tip of South America. When his body was found, his diary lay nearby. It bore the record of hunger, thirst, wounds, and loneliness. The last entry in his little book showed the struggle of his shaking hand as he tried to write legibly. It read, "I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God." Allen Gardiner.
Can you say that today - GOD IS GOOD?
I know that my journey in life has taught me this lesson over and over. I sometimes see things so narrowly and small that I often don't see the big picture that God has laid out before me. He has brought me through every trial and every difficulty and I can honestly say emphatically - GOD IS GOOD!
I have been blessed with so much over my lifetime and have been blessed to find favor with many people across the world.
I know that life throws curveballs that there are obstacles along the way. I know that there will be days and seasons that literally make you want to quit and throw in the towel. I know that tragedy happens to all of us and difficulty makes it hard to go forward.
I know this from personal experience.
But through it all, I know this - GOD IS GOOD!
A little boy is telling his grandma how "everything" in his life is going wrong. He’s telling his grandma about his problems with school, family & friends, etc. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which of course he does. "Here, have some cooking oil," grandma offers. "Yuck" says the boy. "How about a couple raw eggs?" Grandma asks him. "That’s gross, Grandma!" he says. "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Grandma, those things are all yucky!" the boy says. To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all these things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But as we trust in Him despite the circumstances, Eventually, together all things will make something wonderful!"
One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Hebrews 13:5 which tells us that God will never leave us or forsake us.
Every day this world around us changes. Sometimes for the good. Sometimes for the bad. But we serve an unchanging God that loves us and embraces us in all times.
Here's the thing: God knows us. He knows our every weakness and He still loves us. He knows our every strength and and He still wants to use us.
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He’ll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.
No matter what you are facing today I pray that you can stop and remind yourself that GOD IS GOOD - ALWAYS. Remind yourself of the places where God picked you up and carried through the storm and through the difficulty.
Perhaps you might be facing a looming trial right now. Stop and give thanks to God for His provision and His blessing that is coming your way and remember always that GOD IS GOOD!
What are you thankful for today?
“...Then Hezekiah encouraged them by saying: “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.” 2 Chronicles 32:6-8 NLT
Life is full of struggles, difficulties, and problems. Some are bigger than others. But whether the Christian’s trials in life are of the garden variety, or more along the lines of major tragedy, there is but one thing that will overcome them—faith in God.
We must also keep in mind that our enemy, Satan, is always seeking opportunities to defeat us.
We must never forget that there is a spiritual battle going on. Satan seeks to destroy us with our trials, while God seeks to develop us with them. The child of God cannot avoid trials. They can however, face those trials in faith toward God, and thwart Satan’s plan to defeat them.
In this passage we see how one man approached his problems. Hezekiah, King of Judah and the people of Judah were being attacked by Sennacherib from Assyria. Rather than letting the enemy put him in fear and frustration, chose to face his dilemma by faith in God.
The problem Hezekiah and Judah faced was so enormous that only God could deliver them. And that is where faith comes in. When the problems are bigger than our ability to handle them, that’s our cue to just rely on God.
V. 5 tells us that he began to strengthen the walls of the city. In the same way, when we're under attack we must fortify our walls by putting on the whole armor of God.
Hezekiah did everything he could do to fight the looming battle that was before him and the people of Judah. He sat captains over the people and told them to be strong and courageous, to not be afraid nor dismayed because God was with them.
Hezekiah wanted them to be prepared for when the enemy came against them. He reminds them in v.8 that they had the Lord God on their side to fight their battles.
Trust Him
Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee,
Trust Him when thy strength is small,
Trust Him when to simply trust Him
Seems the hardest thing of all.
Trust Him, He is ever faithful,
Trust Him, for his will is best,
Trust Him, for the heart of Jesus
Is the only place of rest.
Author Unknown
If you read v. 20 you will notice that when Hezekiah heard the initial threat - he sought God in prayer.
“Then King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to God in heaven.”
2 Chronicles 32:20 NLT
Over and over we see Hezekiah in different predicaments and each time he came to God with his request. (Read 2 Chronicles 32:1-16)
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all God’s children would learn to respond to all their difficulties with humbleness before God, rather than horror and hardness?
The result - Hezekiah's enemies were miraculously slain.
“And the LORD sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its commanders and officers. So Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace to his own land. And when he entered the temple of his god, some of his own sons killed him there with a sword.” 2 Chronicles 32:21 NLT
According to Isa.37: 36, prior to the death of Sennacherib, his armies suffered a severe decimation to the tune of 185,000. All of these were killed in one night, by the death angel that God sent through their camp.
It is also noteworthy that the god that Sennacherib boasted to be so powerful as to give him the victory over all the other gods of the lands, wasn’t powerful enough to protect him from his own murderous sons.
There is always victory in Christ. He cannot lose. He will always win. Trust Him today with all your problem and He will lead you into a great victory that only He can bring.
