God's Mighty Power and Protection
2 Kings 19:34-35, "For I will defend this city (Jerusalem), to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake. 35And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses."
Sennacherib was the king of Assyria, his army was the most powerful army on earth during his reign. He had threatened to lay siege to Jerusalem and destroy it and kill its inhabitants. Hezekiah, king of Judah, was a king who walked with God. He is described as follows in 2 Kings 18:5-6, "He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. 6For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses." Hezekiah was a king who trusted God, he was a king who honored God, and he was a king who obeyed God. The Lord promised him through the prophet Isaiah that "...He (Sennacherib) shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it. 33By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD. 34For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake." God fulfilled every part of His promise to King Hezekiah.
It is important that we look to the LORD in every facet of life, that we seek His omnipotent power to be known and realized in our lives and our churches. What is your standing before the LORD. Are you living daily depending upon your own power and intellect, or are you depending completely upon the LORD to fill you with His power, and to display His power in your life, to protect you and to provide for you?
"Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." (Psalm 20:7) Rather than trusting in human instruments, remember to trust God for daily power and protection.
Your Friend and HIS,
Pastor Abbott
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. What two reasons does God give for keeping Jerusalem safe? (See vs. 34)
2. How do you live your life? Does it demonstrate trust, honor, and obedience or something different?
3. Why does God seem to be the last resort when people are in trouble?
4. Do you first depend upon God or others when in need?