LETTERS TO GOD

January 10, 2023

2 Kings 19:14-16
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it;
and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
Then Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said: “O LORD God of Israel,
the One who dwells between the cherubim. . . .
Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear.”

Do you feel, as Hezekiah did so many years ago, that “This day is a day of trouble, and rebuke, and blasphemy?” – 2 Kings 19:3. Life sometimes crashes in, leaving nothing but hopelessness in its wake. Is a broken relationship, poor health, or an unbearable situation crushing your spirit? If so, this morning’s Scripture is for you.

Sennacherib, king of Assyria, struck fear in the hearts of the Israelites. His army had captured every city except Jerusalem. Confident that he would also conquer Judah, Sennacherib taunted the Israelites. He hoped to instill in the Israelites a fear of the enemy that was stronger than their faith in God.

Hezekiah took the life-threatening letters of ultimatum delivered by Sennacherib’s messengers and spread them out before the Lord in His temple. And he prayed, asking God to turn His ear toward him and listen to his request. Hezekiah knew that without God’s intervention, the city of Jerusalem could not hold its own against the mighty Assyrian army. But Hezekiah knew that God’s power could trump that of any invading army. Instead of being terrified, King Hezekiah held fast to what he knew to be true about his God.

When troubles arise and your faith begins to falter, your God stands ready to help. Spread out your request before God and pray that He will listen. Remember that His power is mightier than any battle you face today.

Quiet Reflections of Hope (Revell, 2009)
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.