After These Acts of Faithfulness…
“After these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and besieged the fortified cities, and thought to break into them for himself.”
2 Chronicles 32:1
You did your best, but it didn’t seem to matter. In spite of your efforts, your forward progress, opposition and difficulties came. Disappointment sets in.
Hezekiah followed God. He led a “revival” in the land, helping to turn the hearts of many to the LORD. Hezekiah got rid of the foreign gods, organizing temple priests, singers and helpers, leading people to worship the one true God.
2 Chronicles 31:20-21 offers a summary:
“Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.”
Everything looked pretty bright and positive, right?
Yes…. Then the opposition came.
“After these acts of faithfulness Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and besieged the fortified cities, and thought to break into them for himself.”
2 Chronicles 32:1
What did Hezekiah do?
He didn’t give up. Instead, he, along with the prophet Isaiah, went to God in prayer.
“But King Hezekiah and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed about this and cried out to heaven.”
2 Chronicles 32:20
God answered in a miraculous way!
“And the Lord sent an angel who destroyed every mighty warrior, commander and officer in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned in shame to his own land. And when he had entered the temple of his god, some of his own children killed him there with the sword.”
2 Chronicles 32:21
So, keep on serving the Lord! When setbacks occur, talk to the Lord about it, and don’t give up.
Don’t ever give up!
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”
Chuck Swindoll
