2 Chronicles 32:1-22
Verse 19 They spoke about the God of Jerusalem as they did about the gods of the other peoples of the world—the work of human hands.
We take another time hop and find ourselves in Jerusalem after King David and his son King Solomon had reigned. Our reading today takes place during the time of the divided kingdom when God’s people to the north (Israel) had split from the people to the south (Judah). Israel had already been taken over by the Assyrians but Judah was trying to maintain their ground against the Assyrian’s attempt to conquer all the surrounding nations.
The king of Judah had done what he had thought best to help prepare the City of David for an attack but he knew that wasn’t what was going to make the difference. After building a second section of wall around the city and preparing a military force, he gives the officers a pep talk. He drew from history, using the words of Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” That would have encouraged them but he didn’t stop there because the best encouragement they could have was to remember who God is.
King Hezekiah pointed out the same thing that David the shepherd boy understood, the intimidating enemy was only someone of flesh. A person of flesh couldn’t overtake them because the One with them was more powerful. David’s peace of mind and heart could be theirs too because the same God that took out the giant with a smooth stone, could also take care of the king of Assyria.
Then came the message from the enemy king bragging about how he didn’t think the God of Judah was any different that the gods of the other nations he had already conquered, mere things made by human hand. Then he sent letters to say that the God of Judah would fail to rescue His people just as the other gods had failed to rescue their people. To add salt to the wound he was hoping to make, he sent men to shout insults in their own language at the walls.
King Hezekiah teamed up with the prophet Isaiah and they prayed. God knew their hearts were not trusting on what they could do to protect God’s people but that they were trusting Him to do what needed to be done. God had allowed the shepherd boy David to defend Him to the giant but God was ready to fight the king Assyria on His own. And He did. He sent an angel to annihilate all of his army in the camp but then when the enemy king went into the temple of his god, his own sons killed him. God is too big to be mocked.
Making It Personal
When have you prayed for God to intervene in a situation for the nation? Do you truly believe He can intervene for His people? Will you still believe in His goodness if He doesn’t answer the way you desire?
Making It Personal Kids
How can praying for God to do something, help? Do you believe God can help you? Will you still trust Him if He wants to teach you something through a hard time instead of answering your prayer the way you want?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for this example of how You answer big prayers. Give us hearts that trust You to do what is best for us even if it isn’t the way we were wanting You to do it. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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