”Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD.
2 Kings 19:14New International Version (NIV)
2 Kings 19:14 Devotional
Spread it out before God
2 Kings 19:14 encourages that when you and I come face to face with a threatening situation or report, we need to spread it out before God. And this is simply creating an opportunity to take your situation to God in prayer.
While issues should not be what drive you to God, they should drive you to God. They should also drive you to His presence and wisdom; not away from the same and to the world.
This is what Hezekiah did. When he received the threat that the Assyrian army was approaching (coming from Lachish), he took it very seriously (2 Chronicles 32:1-5).
In 2 Kings 18:17 and 18:27, when Sennacherib’s officers were outside the walls of Jerusalem, they conducted psychological warfare. When King Hezekiah’s delegates went out to meet the Assyrian officers, they were taunted. The Assyrians wanted to sow fear in the hearts of the Israelites before drawing any sword or shooting any arrow.
But in the face of the enemy’s taunts, the Israelites maintained their silence. Hezekiah took the letter that contained all the threats, and all the insults, and went to the Temple. There, he spread out the letter before God.
He knew that his strong defences and new weapons could only do so much. God was his strongest defence and weapon.
Therefore, whenever danger approaches you, or there are threats directed at you, run to God. Run to His loving, warm embrace and presence. In His presence, there is joy, peace, and hope, for He cannot dishonour Himself.
Prayer/Blessing
Lord, I bless Your Name that I can come and cast my troubles or burdens on to You. I need not worry in the face of adversity and bad reports, You are my shield and salvation. Therefore, I exalt You in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
May you find refuge and strength in God. Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Isaiah 58-63 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
