READING: 2 Kings 18-19
One of our goals in this year’s devotions is to show how often the Bible talks about the victory we have in God, who is our Divine Warrior. Today’s reading again echoes this theme, though in a unique way. Sennacherib, King of Assyria, had prepared his forces to attack Judah. In fact, he was certain his forces would win, for no gods of any of their other enemies had been powerful enough to deliver anyone from the Assyrians: “Who of all the gods of these countries has been able to save his land from me? How then can the Lord deliver Jerusalem from my hand?” (2 Kings 18:35).
Hezekiah, King of Judah, prayed for God’s deliverance. The prophet Isaiah clearly gave God’s word that He would hear those prayers and that the Assyrians would not win this time: “I [God] will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant” (2 Kings 19:34).
It’s how God defeated the Assyrians that is powerful in this story: “That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand in the Assyrian camp” (2 Kings 19:35). With one dramatic display of His power, God answered the prayers of Hezekiah. It would be tough to deny the might of the Hebrew God.
But, the story doesn’t end there. Watch what happened next to the Assyrian king: “One day, while he [Sennacherib] was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisrok, his sons Adrammelek and Sharezer killed him with the sword” (2 Kings 19:37). It is striking that the king was worshiping in the temple of his god, but this false god could do nothing to protect the king. It wasn’t the God of the Hebrews who could not protect His people from the Assyrians; it was instead just the reverse. No false god can ever stand up to the one and only true God.
It is good and wise to be on the side of the God of the Bible.
ACTION STEPS:
- Take some time now to go to www.joshuaproject.net, and learn about people who worship false gods. Pray for at least one group of people.
- Thank God that He has made himself known to you so you might follow Him.
PRAYER: “God, thank You that Your Word always comes true.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Kings 20-22