Two Ways to Look at Things

     This past week was filled with lots of news from friends.  A dear friend had entered hospice, another brother in the Lord had come down with COVID, and a son of a family we know and love was in an accident.  On top of all of this, I got word from my doctor that I would have to undergo another surgery for my knee.  While all of this may sound overwhelming, there are two ways to look at it, and this was more than clear in the Scripture I read today.

     To give a little background, I have been reading about King Hezekiah.  After many

disastrous and disobedient leaders of Judah, Hezekiah came to the throne and did what was right in the sight of God.  He went throughout his territory destroying the idols and altars.  Then, he restored the Temple for worship and called all of his  people together to sacrifice to the Lord.  He was faithful to God, and the Lord prospered him.

     In 2 Chronicles 32, Hezekiah is faced with a great threat from the Assyrians led by Sennacherib their king.  The Assyrians invaded Judah, and in response, Hezekiah prepared the city for assault by building up the walls of Jerusalem.  He also made weapons for warfare and stopped the springs of water so the enemy would not have  water available to them.  However, what he did next was probably the most important thing any leader can do for his people.  He encouraged them.  Verses 7-8 say:  "'Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.  With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles. ' And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah."

     On the other side of that wall in Jerusalem were the servants of King Sennacherib whose job it was to discourage the people of Judah so they would surrender.  They spoke in their language and told them that none of the other nations they had conquered were able to defeat them even though they had cried out to their gods.  Thus, they mocked the God of Israel and made Him seem as impotent as the false gods made by men's hands.  Wisely, King Hezekiah and the Prophet Isaiah went before the Lord in prayer.  In response, Scripture teaches us that God sent an angel who cut off all the mighty warriors and commanders in the camp of the king of Assyria (vs.21).  Ultimately, Sennacherib returned in disgrace to Assyria where his own sons killed him.  The people of Judah and Jerusalem were saved by the Lord.

     I love this story because it plainly shows us that we have a choice to make each day.  We can either look at things as Hezekiah did through the eyes of faith and trust the Lord; or we can take the view that Sennacherib offered.  "Your God can't win for you.  We are far greater than any force you have ever seen."  He wanted the people to give up, and unfortunately, that is what many do when faced with difficult news.  We can either give up or pray up.  

     God has given us the promise of His presence as we walk through the "valley of the shadow of death".  He has told us He would never leave us or forsake us (this is echoed in Numbers 23:19 and Hebrews 13:5).  Likewise, He has provided for us full armor that we are to wear into daily battle as described in Ephesians 6:10-18.  God has also given to those of us in Christ everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) so why should we be afraid of the enemy?  

     Hezekiah took a stand in faith and trust for his people.  He did not look at the circumstances.  Instead, he looked to the Lord.  He went about all the preparations that he could do, but he left the rest to God.  When it looked dark and dreary with the enemy taunting his people, Hezekiah did not despair.  Rather, he went to prayer in the House of the Lord and this is exactly what we are called to do.  Does this mean that Hezekiah wasn't afraid of what could happen?  We are not told.  However, we know his emotions did not keep him from prayer.  Faith calls us from fear of the unknown into the arms of God who will hold us steady in the storms of life.  

     As believers, let us take the example given to us in Scripture and speak words of encouragement one to another.  With God all things are possible, and He holds us in the hollow of His hands.  Do not let the enemy of our soul steal the joy and hope which God gives to us in Christ.  Instead, let us faithfully proclaim His deliverance to those around us even as Hezekiah did.  Selah!