Reading: II Kings 18-20
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. 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 (II Kings 18:3-5).
Yesterday’s reading emphasized the consequences of rejecting God; today’s offers us an in-depth look at what can happen when a person is willing to fully embrace Him. Whereas the northern kingdom of Israel had suffered under 19 godless kings, the southern kingdom of Judah had experienced a wildly fluctuating degree of spiritual leadership. Hezekiah in particular stood out amongst all the kings of Judah, for he clave to the Lord, and departed not from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses (II Kings 18:6). Under his leadership the tiny nation of Judah was richly blessed. Even as they were surrounded by the enemy that had struck down Israel, God’s protective presence ensured that His people were unmolested.
The thing that set Hezekiah apart from all the other kings since the reign of David was not merely his belief in the existence of God, but rather it was his total dependence on, and trust in, Him. Because he trusted and clave to the Lord, he made it a point to stay in constant contact with Him. Through that contact (prayer), Hezekiah was able to discern the Lord’s will in every situation he encountered. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, Thou art the God, even Thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; Thou hast made heaven and earth (II Kings 19:15).
Sennacherib and the army of Assyria were fierce and determined. Having wiped out the larger and stronger kingdom of Israel, they believed that the taking of Judah was a mere formality. After all, both nations claimed allegiance to the same God. Since that God had been unable (in Sennacherib’s opinion) to save Israel, what made Judah’s king believe that the Lord would be able to save him and his people? Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand? Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand (18:34-35)?
There is a huge difference between believing that God exists and being reborn into the body of Christ. To the citizens of Israel, God was a historical fact that had no bearing on their day-to-day lives, but to Hezekiah He was a living presence. The former reaped no benefits from their ‘knowledge,’ while the later was granted life due to his ongoing relationship with the Lord. The same distinction exists in the world of Christianity today. Those who merely wear the label without allowing it to penetrate their hearts are as lost as the northern kingdom of Israel. Only by embracing the presence of the living God and allowing ourselves to be remade in His image will we partake of life everlasting.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead (James 2:19-20)?
Thought for Today: In order to have an intimate relationship with God, we must walk with Him and speak from the heart.
Christ Revealed: By Hezekiah, who was faithful in leading the Kingdom of Judah back to God and His Word (II Kings 18:1-6) – a foreshadowing of the words of Jesus to the Pharisees in His attempt to awaken them to their need to see themselves as sinners and recognize Him as their Savior (Mark 2:17).
Word Studies: 18:6 clave = clung, was devoted to; 18:17 Tartan = the title of Assyria’s general, commander in chief; Rabsaris = the chief financial official; Rabshakeh = the chief officer, or possibly chief cup-bearer; 18:31 by a present = by paying tribute;
Pray for Staff: Tifany Parisi • Government Officials: Rep. Vernon Buchanan (FL), Rep.John Mooleraar (MI) • Country: Mexico (118,818,228) North America • Major Language: Spanish • Religious Freedom • 82.7% Catholic; 1.6% Protestant; 1.4% Jehovah’s Witnesses; 5% Other Evangelical;1.9% Other; 4.7% None; 2.7% Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: If we ask anything agreeing with His will, He both hears and answers (I John 5:14-15).
Optional Reading: Romans 11.