- Then Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went home and lived at Nineveh. 2 Kings 19:36 – This is sort of a basic, boring verse to be our key verse for the devotion, isn’t it? Yet when shared to King Hezekiah and the people of Judah, this would have been the embolden letters on the front page of their newspaper. Assyria was on a war path, conquering city after city, destroying many to dust. Now the target of Assyria was locked onto Jerusalem. Deadly threats were spoken against Jerusalem and it appeared that the city was going to be wiped out. Yet, through the faithful prayers and actions of King Hezekiah and the Lord’s promise to protect David’s throne, this plan of Assyria didn’t unfold. God sent an angel and took out 185,000 of the enemy’s soldiers. After this massive loss we see our key verse written. No battle against Jerusalem and not even a single arrow was shot at the city. God completely protected the city, exactly like He said He would. Instead of watching his city burn, Hezekiah was able to watch his enemy return home utterly defeated. All because of the Lord. I don’t know what imposing enemies may be at your gates threatening you with total defeat. Possibly fear, or anxiety, or maybe an actual person or group of people. In such a season, bring this situation and lay it at His feet. Trust His promises to take care of His people and watch how the Lord provides for those who cast their cares upon Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3085
- 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. 2 Kings 19:14 – Where do you turn when bad news hits? We can crumble into a ball of worry or even choose to “man up” and rely on our own smarts and strength to get us through this troubling time. Whichever direction you lean as your reaction to bad news, we see Hezekiah turning a third direction. Rather than worry or to himself, Hezekiah turns to God with this troublesome matter and chooses to lean on God instead. He realizes worry isn’t going to fix the issue nor is he strong enough or smart enough himself to deal with the issue at hand. So he turns to someone who can handle it all and we can do the same when we’re hit with bad news. See worry never fixes the issue and while many times you can in your own power resolve issues in life, there will be times things are just too big for you to handle. This is when we need to follow Hezekiah’s approach by taking our issue to God and trusting in His power to resolve things. What God truly wants though is this not only to be your reaction to when bad times hit but also in your day to day life as well. Create a habit of turning to Him in the small things so you are familiar with the path to Him when big things hit. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 390
- And the surviving remnant of the house of Judah shall again take root downward and bear fruit upward. 2 Kings 19:30 – This was God’s desire for His people all along. In fact this is still God’s desire for His people. That those who follow Him settle deeply into their life with Him and grow roots that hold us steady through all life’s storms. Then to bear fruit upward. Meaning to bear the fruits of the spirt such as peace and joy in this world so the fruit of people coming to know God can take place. Know today God has a desire for you to flourish. We see that here with Judah, and we see this message throughout scripture speaking that over us. Lean then into Him. Grow roots deep in Him and branch out and bear fruit. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1042
- As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. 2 Kings 19:1 – I can’t help but want to choose passages like this to write on when I read them in scripture. A king, who is faced with a massive enemy and death of his people on the horizon, decides to take the wisest step anyone could ever take in that moment…a step towards the Lord for help. Not a step towards his sword, not a step towards his army commanders, a step towards the Lord. Make this step as well as, especially when the enemy is looming within your story. Your “swords,” the means of fighting against the enemy that maybe you’ve tried before and found no success with, aren’t going to suddenly bring you victory now. The reason why we often see those in the world that don’t know Jesus struggling so deeply is because the only thing that can help them they haven’t met yet. So for you if you’ve met the Lord and you are following Him, when the enemy comes follow the example of Hezekiah. Go to God for help. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2225
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