What storms threaten? No, we're not talking about a storm of the century, but rather those personal storms that loom large. A health, financial, marital, or family crisis. What do we do, and how do we respond?
An ancient king of Judah - Hezekiah - faced a formidable foe. The greatest menace of the day, Assyria - led by king Sennacherib - stood outside the city gates with a vast, well-armed army. Requesting terms of surrender would have seemed the logical move, but wise and spiritually-minded Hezekiah took this course of action instead:
"Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said, 'O LORD, the God of Israel, who are 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 listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God ... Now, O LORD our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.' " (2 Kings 19.14-16, 19)
This man, whose life and kingdom belonged to the true and living God, spread the need and concern before Him. Hezekiah's concern was ultimately God's concern, so he took it to the true source. And, he sought victory and deliverance not for their sake, but for the sake of the LORD's reputation and name.
There are important principles here. Our battles are not truly ours, but the LORD's. Like Hezekiah, we do well to spread them out before the LORD. And, as we seek help and deliverance, it is not for us, but for His name and reputation. The help we seek is to serve the greater purpose of promoting His name and kingdom.
Hezekiah's example implores us to being our threatening battles and spread them before the LORD. Seek out His help, not selfishly, but for His great kingdom cause. Would His help and answer promote His name and cause? If we can answer a resounding, "yes!", then we ought to earnestly seek victory.
The model prayer (Matthew 6.9-13) - "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven" - resonates with Hezekiah's prayer. Seeking the triumph of God's kingdom, both now and in the future, is a glorious witness and priority.
May we spread all our battles before Him Who alone can deliver, and may His victory over our battles advance His kingdom purposes.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
An ancient king of Judah - Hezekiah - faced a formidable foe. The greatest menace of the day, Assyria - led by king Sennacherib - stood outside the city gates with a vast, well-armed army. Requesting terms of surrender would have seemed the logical move, but wise and spiritually-minded Hezekiah took this course of action instead:
"Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. Hezekiah prayed before the LORD and said, 'O LORD, the God of Israel, who are 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 listen to the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God ... Now, O LORD our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God.' " (2 Kings 19.14-16, 19)
This man, whose life and kingdom belonged to the true and living God, spread the need and concern before Him. Hezekiah's concern was ultimately God's concern, so he took it to the true source. And, he sought victory and deliverance not for their sake, but for the sake of the LORD's reputation and name.
There are important principles here. Our battles are not truly ours, but the LORD's. Like Hezekiah, we do well to spread them out before the LORD. And, as we seek help and deliverance, it is not for us, but for His name and reputation. The help we seek is to serve the greater purpose of promoting His name and kingdom.
Hezekiah's example implores us to being our threatening battles and spread them before the LORD. Seek out His help, not selfishly, but for His great kingdom cause. Would His help and answer promote His name and cause? If we can answer a resounding, "yes!", then we ought to earnestly seek victory.
The model prayer (Matthew 6.9-13) - "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven" - resonates with Hezekiah's prayer. Seeking the triumph of God's kingdom, both now and in the future, is a glorious witness and priority.
May we spread all our battles before Him Who alone can deliver, and may His victory over our battles advance His kingdom purposes.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 8:35 AM
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