2nd Kings 19 THE WORD THE LORD HATH SPOKEN Attitude in prayer is not just demonstrated by the words we speak or the tone of voice we use but can be recognized by the posture we hold and the sincerity evident by the respect toward seen in all of these put together. Hezekiah needed support in the national crisis he was facing and gathered those he trusted in the house of the Lord. Isaiah had been a significant voice for God for forty years and Hezekiah needed his intercession. It often is a reassuring and strengthening aspect of fellowship when we let others who know the Lord, particularly mature believers, know the problems we are facing. They can join in intercessory prayer on our behalf and we are comforted when the burdens we bare are shared by those we trust.
Isaiah's spiritual understanding brought divine light to Hezekiah and his prayer was answered. Prayer in any matter should be our first response to any situation that arises. When we understand our God is involved in every activity of our life, we will not wait until things seem hopeless, but recognize God can use these difficulties for His own opportunities. One earnest, effective prayer can be the means of changing the course of a nation, let alone our own life.
God knows all the things we face in life and it must bring satisfaction to Him when we take each matter and spread it open before Him. No secrets remain when we open the whole thing before the Lord like Hezekiah spread the threatening letter open before the Lord. It is indicative of our sense of dependence and faith in Him when we speak of a matter openly and let Him know we have confidence in His word and His promises. His guidance is given as a result of praying in faith.
God dwells with His people even though He is the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth. The insults and blasphemy made against Him by unbelievers is known by Him and He will deal with them in His own time and way. The ranting and ravings of the ungodly against those who believe in and love the Lord, are no more effective than the howling of a dog at the moon. Our responsibility when the "heathen rage" is to leave the matter with the Lord who waits in grace for their repentance. When or if that does not come, He will "have them in derision" and act with divine justice.
Hezekiah acknowledged the sovereignty of God when he prayed in dependence and faith. We should never take God for granted in any way and pray as if He owed us anything. Nor should we be casual or off-hand when we speak to our heavenly Father. He is the Supreme Authority and has power over every situation. Isaiah sent and unsolicited message to Hezekiah that assured him the Lord heard his prayer. How wonderful it must have been to him to get that message in his time of need.
The Assyrians ridiculed the people of God and God Himself. In the lengthy answer Isaiah sent, he told the king of the judgment of God that was coming on the Assyrians. He was reminded that God rules over nations and people. The family relationship God had with Israel was that of the Father and His daughter. Every father wants to protect and defend his daughter from those who would do her harm. More than that, God identified Himself with them as the "Holy One of Israel." The boasts, the arrogance, the presumption of the Assyrian king was all noted in the Lord's reply. The same things he had done to others would be done to the Assyrians.
For the children of Israel, Hezekiah was told by Isaiah there would be a difficult year ahead. The people would be able to live on what was "volunteer" grain that grew without being planted. Seeds that fell during the previous harvest would produce enough for them to survive. God would sustain them by giving them from the "fullness" of the earth. By the time they would be able to plant and harvest a crop the Assyrians would be gone and they could get back to normal living. There would be "a remnant" that would survive throughout the years who would be involved in the plans of God for the future. As long as there is a spark (remnant) a fire can be started again. There may be only a small remnant who live by faith, but God can use that to bring real commitment to Him, both in assemblies and in individual believers.
The word of the Lord assured Hezekiah that the Assyrians would not enter Jerusalem because the Lord God would defend it Himself for the sake of the promise He made to David. How He carried out that defense cannot be explained as an act of nature or any explanation people try to make. In this extraordinary event the death of 185,000 soldiers without any human agency was surely a supernatural action taken against those who mocked, ridiculed and despised the Living God and those who belonged to Him. Catastrophic events are not always able to be explained no matter how hard people try. There are divine principles of life and death in the universe that are beyond human control because they are under the authority of the One who "created all things by the word of His power."
Sometimes, the things that happen are not only that we might call - "Save Thou us out of his hand," but are done that "All the kingdoms of the earth may know that Thou art the Lord God, even Thou only." Prayers of desperation are not out of line when they are made in faith with the assurance that our requests are in the range of God's will. Not only were the children of Israel saved by God's intervention, but the arrogance and boasting of Sennacherib ended when his own sons murdered him when he was bowing before is idol-god.
It is a lesson for us to learn that when the Lord speaks, every word is true. Every promise will be fulfilled. every pronouncement of judgment will take place. There are no idle words with God. We can count on what He says and act on what he commands even when we do not know the outcome. By faith we step ahead in confidence because He opens the way before us even when we are afraid. We can trust His word without any reservation. 2Kings 19:19. “Now therefore, O Lord our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only.” SAVE THOU US. They gathered there but God turned them back They were trying to point out everything we lack – When they come again, they’ll take a different tack – To try and defeat God’s people.
It may be in a letter like one that came long ago To a servant of God to let him know – They would not be satisfied until there was no – Testimony left of God’s people.
We can learn through that God already has a plan – That He will carry out in spite of what man Thinks he can do with strength or élan – To discourage the work of God’s people.
But the Lord is not confused – He can read the mail – And knows what enemies do and how they rail – We know those who trust in the Lord do not fail – To fulfill the needs of God’s people.
Let those who intimidate when they roar and rant Stop to consider when they oppose God, they can’t Win against God’s people when their feet they plant – On the promises God made to His people.
For the sake of His Son, God will protect His “city,” And deal Himself with those who show no pity – Leaving behind all those who were not willing or ready – To be identified with God’s people.
“There still are attempts, Father God, being made against those who seek to further Thy work in Thy way. Strengthen, I pray, the hands and feeble knees of those who work and stand for Thy truth. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”