“Thus shall you speak to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. Behold, you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, devoting them to destruction. And shall you be delivered? Have the gods of the nations delivered them, the nations that my fathers destroyed, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar? Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, the king of Sepharvaim, the king of Hena, or the king of Ivvah?’”
“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 the heavens and the 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.'” 2 Kings 19:10-19
The truth about Sennacherib was that his condescending taunts were based on fact- he had indeed conquered many. But the trouble with him was he knew not God. In his world, other nations’ gods were useless, and success and pride distorted his view of the Almighty as nothing different. The truth about Hezekiah, however, was that no matter the verbal attacks and imposing threats, he knew God, and that He was more than a match to all gods and kings. Upon reading Sennacherib’s letter, he went up to the Lord, spread it out, and boldly asked for Him to save Judah and so prove His supremacy. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
We can daily choose whether to look up or down. Christians come under varied taunts, ridicule, and causes to doubt by way of acquaintances, strangers, media messages, or the enemy’s minions who would undo us. We can bow to fear or pressure, look low in shame, or pretend at superiority by looking down on others in comparison. Or, we can take in the world’s pelting messages and approach the Lord in reverence and confidence. He is enthroned on high, He alone is Creator and Ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth.
Taking every attacking care to Him and proclaiming His greatness illumines unreasonable thinking and dissolves derisive fears. He is God, He alone! If He is for us and on our side, who against us has any force or influence? (Romans 8:31-34)
What presently threatens steadfast resolve, or peace? Do we know God well enough as personal Redeemer and Lord to trust Him with our concerns and needs? Taking confidence in His past deliverances helps to see us through and exhibits His greatness. (Psalm 46:1-3)
Lord, may my confident trust in You display that You alone are God.
As the rain and snow 