Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: 2 Chronicles 32:1-22
2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (NIV) "'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.8With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.'"
When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invaded Judah in the 8th century BCE, Hezekiah knew that the city of Jerusalem would soon come under attack, so he quickly went into action to defend the city. He built up the broken wall, erected another outside of it, also made large numbers of weapons and shields, and "appointed military officers over the people" (2 Chronicles 32:5-6). But it would take more than weapons and body armor to save the city from the onslaught of the powerful armies of Sennacherib. So Hezekiah called the people together to encourage them and regain their focus. In the face of their seemingly hopeless situation, he declared, "There is a greater power with us than with him" (32:7).
How could Hezekiah say this? He gives the answer in verse eight: "With him [Sennacherib] is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." With this, Hezekiah called the people to remember their God, for Sennacherib may have had power, men, and prestige, but the inhabitants of Jerusalem had the Lord!
Yet, even though Hezekiah reminded the people of God's protection, the persecution did not stop. The writer of this chapter goes on to explain how Sennacherib and his army mocked the people for believing and trusting in Hezekiah's words (32:10-15), and how fear was used as a weapon to cause the people to forget God (32:16-19). Despite this, Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah together cried out to God and He "...annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king[, Sennacherib]" (32:21).
Hezekiah's story reminds us that the worst response to the fear of persecution is compromise. Instead of backing down when we are ridiculed for our faith, we must learn to stand firm in the promises of God. Consider the words of the writer of the Hebrews: "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6).
How comfortable are you now? True persecution may occur when you are living a confident, healthy life in Christ. But with your faith in God's security, you can freely let your light shine in love and truth. Faith Lesson: When persecution comes, we can live life graciously and confidently knowing that God always has our best interests in mind.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then learn to how make Jesus your Savior and Lord.
Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at http://www.dailymessage.org To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
READ: 2 Chronicles 32:1-22
2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (NIV) "'Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.8With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.'"
When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invaded Judah in the 8th century BCE, Hezekiah knew that the city of Jerusalem would soon come under attack, so he quickly went into action to defend the city. He built up the broken wall, erected another outside of it, also made large numbers of weapons and shields, and "appointed military officers over the people" (2 Chronicles 32:5-6). But it would take more than weapons and body armor to save the city from the onslaught of the powerful armies of Sennacherib. So Hezekiah called the people together to encourage them and regain their focus. In the face of their seemingly hopeless situation, he declared, "There is a greater power with us than with him" (32:7).
How could Hezekiah say this? He gives the answer in verse eight: "With him [Sennacherib] is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." With this, Hezekiah called the people to remember their God, for Sennacherib may have had power, men, and prestige, but the inhabitants of Jerusalem had the Lord!
Yet, even though Hezekiah reminded the people of God's protection, the persecution did not stop. The writer of this chapter goes on to explain how Sennacherib and his army mocked the people for believing and trusting in Hezekiah's words (32:10-15), and how fear was used as a weapon to cause the people to forget God (32:16-19). Despite this, Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah together cried out to God and He "...annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king[, Sennacherib]" (32:21).
Hezekiah's story reminds us that the worst response to the fear of persecution is compromise. Instead of backing down when we are ridiculed for our faith, we must learn to stand firm in the promises of God. Consider the words of the writer of the Hebrews: "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6).
How comfortable are you now? True persecution may occur when you are living a confident, healthy life in Christ. But with your faith in God's security, you can freely let your light shine in love and truth. Faith Lesson: When persecution comes, we can live life graciously and confidently knowing that God always has our best interests in mind.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior? If not, then learn to how make Jesus your Savior and Lord.
Check out the Daily Message Devotional's new and full-featured website at http://www.dailymessage.org To subscribe to the Daily Message Devotional mailing list, please send a blank email to UICDevotions-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.
