In Isaiah 36-37, the Rabshakeh, a high-ranking military official of the Assyrian king, advanced with a great army to taunt and intimidate King Hezekiah. His staff took the threat directly to their sovereign. “As soon as Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself in sackcloth and went into the house of the LORD.” He sent for Isaiah to ask him to pray also, then ‘spread the messengers’ letter before the LORD.’
When Nehemiah faced relentless opposition while rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, again and again he turned to the Lord in prayer. “Now, O God, strengthen my hands.” (Nehemiah 6:9)
In Psalm 73, when Asaph “almost stumbled” in envy of the arrogant, angry at the prosperity of the wicked, their “strutting tongue,” and flippant disregard of God, and their seemed ease in their riches and pride although they took advantage of others, he, too, went directly to the LORD. “But when I thought how to understand this, it seemed to me a wearisome task, until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end.”
Where do I go when under attack, overwhelmed, confused, righteously angry, in need? Bombarded with many choices at our fingertips– to connect with someone right away, to complain to others, to ‘get this off my chest,’ to research or begin acting on a ready solution– it can be easy at first impulse not to bend the knee. I heard years ago, “Go to the throne, not the phone.” How prudent this is still today.
Whether we face fear over a diagnosis, threat of division in a relationship, frustration at injustice, or conviction over a paralyzing habit or an ungodly attitude toward another, we can always find solace, counsel, clarity, strength, grace, at the Lord’s feet. The all-sufficient God Who is enthroned above the cherubim hears, and sees, and awaits our pleas.
Lord, may I always, ‘with confidence, draw near to Your throne of grace, that I may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’ (Hebrews 4:16)
As the rain and snow 