Today’s Reading:
Isa. 37:30-38 (20)
"Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from His hand, that all the kingdom of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone." (v. 20 NKJV)
In their overwhelming situation, the anxious people of Judah remained calm. The Assyrian armies had trapped the people of Jerusalem inside its walls, where they faced the hopeless prospect of a starvation induced by siege. Hezekiah nearly panic but he displayed the highest motivation of all, in his prayer request for the salvation of Jerusalem - 'that the world may know the Lord alone is God' (v. 15-20; Dan.9:16-19), and He is able to deliver.
He was concerned for the Lord's reputation, which Sennacherib had impugned. But Hezekiah recognised that if the Lord defeated the Assyrians and their god's, His holy name would be glorified among all the nations of the world (Ex.9:16; 1Sam. 4:7-8).
God answered him through prophet Isaiah that: "the Assyrian army would not even shoot an arrow at the city" (v. 33). There was a terrible plague in the Assyrian camp when the angel of God slew the Assyrian army and killed one hundred and eighty-five thousand. Sennacherib had to abandon his plan to besiege Jerusalem and returned to his own country (vv. 36-38), where he was eventually killed, by two of his sons. This great intervention from God displays his Sovereignty. God defended Jerusalem for his name and honour sake, and he remembered his promise to David - their ancestor, his servant.
Here is an encouragement to all those that call upon the name of God and serve him in truth at this trying period for all the nations of the world that: we serve a God of suddenly. God is able to do exceedingly more than we can imagine or think of. No matter the danger facing of us, God that answered Hezekiah's prayer is still on the throne and He will be for ever. No matter the threatening situation we are going through - be it sickness, spiritual battle, oppression, persecution, under burden of false accusation, lack, we should not fret. God's presence is always with his children but in panic, we will not feel or remember this. He alone is able to make war cease on earth, he is able to utterly destroy weapons of oppression, he alone is able to give complete victory, he alone is able to remove his weapon of punishment. Even at this sorrowful, pitiful and chaotic period the nations of the world are going through, it is only the Sovereign Lord that find solution to it. God desires to hear our supplications, our cries, our pleas.
We should be able to exhibit the mightiness of God by pleading that He should secure our healing, safety, victory so that those around us that do not know him, will know that our God is Lord over all. But we cannot do this if we have not surrender our lives to our Lord Jesus Christ. God longs for a cordial relationship with us. He is more and greater than our greatest problem or challenge.
Olufunmilayo Titilola Adekusibe
Prayer:
Father, thank you because my help always come from you.
Every satanic cloud upon my life, scatter; my heavens open by fire, in Jesus name
Holy Spirit I need your direction, overshadow every area of my life, in Jesus name.
My life and destiny are like a tree planted by the rivers of water, I shall bring forth my fruit in due season, in Jesus name.
It is too late for the enemy to stop my testimony, therefore, every authority of failure over my breakthrough, expire by fire, in Jesus name.
Father, revive your Church and re-position her to suit your purpose, in Jesus name.
Father, thank you for sustaining the nation with your mighty presence. Bulldoze and destroy strongholds of wickedness and revive your work. Let there be love, peace, harmony of purpose and progress in Jesus name. Amen.
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