Thoughts for another day

August 14, 2008.

Today's verse: 2 Ki. 18:20. Thou sayest, (but they are but vain words,) I have counsel and strength for the war. Now on whom dost thou trust, that thou rebellest against me? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Here is an interesting question asked by the general of the king of Assyria to the staff Hezekiah, king of Judah had sent. Assyria was very powerful then and had conquered many nations, making them vassals. Few dared war against them; and those that did, were trampled to the ground. Even the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered and destroyed by them. It was now, the turn of the southern kingdom.

The Assyrian pride knew no bounds and is reflected in the way they spoke. They forgot the essential fact that there is a God in heaven and it is He who empowers; this is dangerous as it removes the cloak of protection God bestows on His people. We see how those who challenge the dignity of God have had to bite the dust and fall flat before Him. We know He alone is sovereign and is always there when we call out.

At that time, too, Hezekiah and his people did not know what to do before the raging might of the Assyrians. They did exactly as God wanted them: prayed and left the Assyrians to face His wrath. The Assyrians knew not the faithfulness of Hezekiah and his people with God. They thought they could conquer Judah as they did the others. Their question, ‘on whom do you trust…?’ was pretty stupid if I may say for the Assyrians should have known that they trusted in the Living God, the Master of the Universe. A little homework and they would have learnt of the wondrous ways, God moved with them. But because they had conquered the northern kingdom, their boast knew no bounds and they thought they could do the same with the southern kingdom.

Eventually, we read that God humbled the Assyrians and routed them completely, even ensuring that their king died at the hands of his own sons! Friend, our trust is in the Living God who has given Himself to us as our Father and He is formidable in any situation we face in Life. David called Him the ‘Rock’ and so do I, for really, in any danger or calamity, He stands as a ‘Rock’ to safeguard us. He is the Lord our God who neither sleeps nor slumbers and His eyes are always roaming the earth to discover us worshipping Him and pleased, He becomes our shield, whether we are communing with Him or not.. I pray your trust will be always in Him and Him alone for then you will see your redemption, most awesomely wrought about.