If you’ve ever felt outnumbered and overwhelmed by your adversaries, people who demean your reliance on God, maybe you can relate to Hezekiah in the Old Testament. After he became King of Judah, the Assyrian army conquered Israel and took them into exile. Then they advanced on Judah, and seized their fortified cities (2 Kings 18:13), and surrounded Jerusalem.
Things looked bleak for King Hezekiah and the people of Judah. They were surrounded, about to be overtaken by a massive army. The King of Assyria had sent his officials to tell Hezekiah to surrender. There they stood outside the walls of Jerusalem, mocking God and touting their superiority. “Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their land from my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem from my hand?” The Assyrian King’s official remarked (2 Kings 18:35, NASB).”
Hezekiah’s response to this threat was to humble himself in sackcloth and ashes and to seek God in prayer: “And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the LORD (2 Kings 19:1).” Hezekiah doesn’t rely on his own strength to overcome this adversary, but instead seeks God: “Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left,’” he tells his officials (2 Kings 19:4).”
It’s an example that we should follow when we feel overwhelmed by life or those who demean our faith in Jesus. We may feel outnumbered, weak, and defenseless, but this should not in any way diminish our faith in God. We should trust in God’s plans, and rely on Him to do the right thing. Hezekiah’s prayer in 2 Kings 19:15-19 is one of reverence toward God that demonstrates his faith. It’s instructive to us that Hezekiah did not just pray to God to rescue them, but he prayed that God would deliver them so “that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O LORD, are God (2 Kings 19:19).”
© 2024, Chris G. Thelen
He did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done. 2 Kings 18:3, NASB
140 Character Christian 
Thank you for visiting my blog to lead me to yours, Eileen! I once received a word that my “critics will be silenced,” and it gave me so much peace to know God stands up for me. Thank you for sharing this message.
Have a great day!
Thank you for your comment. It is so reassuring to know that God stands up for us. Blessings.
Blessed testament. Prayer should always be our first line of defense when the enemy attempts to overwhelm us. God’s peace be with you Chris.
Amen! Blessings to you.