Day 206
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| Hezekiah in Desperate Prayer |
Scripture
Observation
The military crisis that has been brewing since the opening chapters of the book now comes to a climax during the reign of righteous King Hezekiah. With his "faith in the furnace," Hezekiah faces two stern tests that will profoundly affect the course of his nation. The Assyrian army arrives at the gates of Jerusalem demanding total surrender. Turning to God in desperate prayer, Hezekiah finds him to be an invincible ally, and 185,000 Assyrian troops die without ever reaching the battle lines. But what the armies of Assyria could not do, is accomplished by a case of kingly pride. Granted fifteen extra years of life by God, Hezekiah foolishly discloses his national treasures and defenses to visiting Babylonian envoys, sealing the fate of his nation—though not in his own lifetime.
Application
How do you respond to intimidating circumstances? Do you ignore the threat, give in to the threat or acknowledge the threat? Notice the exemplary steps that Hezekiah took when confronted with a potentially intimidating problem:
First, he acknowledged that he had a problem. By putting on sackcloth and heading for the Lord's house (37:1), Hezekiah admitted his own inability to cope with the problem. He needed help!
Next, he prayed through his problem. He took the matter straight to God (37:4, 15-20), laying before him the intimidating letter.
Finally, he sought for a solution that would give God the glory. Hezekiah's purpose in praying was that "all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you are God, and you alone" (37:20).
What intimidating problem can you tackle today with the help of Hezekiah's "Formula for Effective Prayer"? Acknowledge your need, take it to God, and ask for a solution that gives God the glory.
First, he acknowledged that he had a problem. By putting on sackcloth and heading for the Lord's house (37:1), Hezekiah admitted his own inability to cope with the problem. He needed help!
Next, he prayed through his problem. He took the matter straight to God (37:4, 15-20), laying before him the intimidating letter.
Finally, he sought for a solution that would give God the glory. Hezekiah's purpose in praying was that "all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you are God, and you alone" (37:20).
What intimidating problem can you tackle today with the help of Hezekiah's "Formula for Effective Prayer"? Acknowledge your need, take it to God, and ask for a solution that gives God the glory.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, by having your Word hidden in our heart we know that we can be protected from the effect of being wronged and from doing wrong ourselves. And we thank you that we can live a life of victory over all our struggles in this world because you have already overcome the world. You and you alone get the glory. In Jesus name! Amen!
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| God's Word Hidden in Our Heart |
© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020
