“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. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said: ‘O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.’
“Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Your prayer to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.'” 2 Kings 19:14-20
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to those who have understanding.” Daniel 2:20-21
The threat against his kingdom was real, and imminently threatening, but king Hezekiah knew the true and superior Regent. To Him he appealed for Judah, not for his own sake or simply ease from attack and trouble, but for God’s renown. His faith was fixed, he knew what the sovereign God could do and humbly appealed to His supreme greatness so that greatness would be known. (2 Kings 18:5-7,9-13; 19:8-13)
Threats snarl and swipe all around us, whether from formidable foreign armies, disguised destructive corruption, insidious cultural morass, or hidden sniping temptations. No matter who or what presses and seems to be in control, we need not fear. God reigns! All governing authorities are put in place by the supreme Ruler Himself for His redemptive purposes. He arranges nations and cabinets to employ His intentions, ultimately designing circumstances so people would know He alone is God. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Ephesians 6:12)
We might rue the election of a leader, or resist one installed against our will in a homeland where we have no vote. We might want to blame people for spiritual oppression, and feel defeated and afraid. But God is greater than any enemy, real or unseen, and we can trust that He reigns supreme. We are called to pray with confidence He responds to our prayers. His answer may not be the mercy or ease or authority we would choose in the here and now, but His purposes are redemptive and He will, in His way and time, make Himself known in the nations. (Romans 13:1-2; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; 1 Peter 2:13-17)
Do we believe God is sovereign? How are we living that out in honor, peace, and persistent prayer? What might He be orchestrating in the heavenlies and in individual hearts to reveal His holy purposes, ignite revival, and bring glory to Himself?
Lord of the nations, express Your heart and eternal perspective for Your world through my prayers and life, so others know You are God.
As the rain and snow 