July 1- Laying It Out Before God

July 1, 2011

Scripture Readings:
2 Kings 18:13-19:37; Acts 21:1-17;
Psalm 149:1-9; Proverbs 18:8

O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before thy Divine majesty, beseeching thee to accept of my humble and hearty thanks,  that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep and preserve me the night past from all dangers poor mortals are subject to...

~George Washington

2 Kings 18:13-19:37

What do you do when you have an enemy?  During the Revolutionary War in America, the colonists wanted to declare their independence from England. America's enemy was England. One of the most famous men in American history and world history is George Washington.  George was the Commander of the Continental Army.  As he approached his enemies, Washington famously brought his trials and tribulations during the war to God in prayer.  He would declares days of prayer and fasting for his troops as they contemplated fighting for freedom.  General Washington was convinced that God was sovereign over the affairs of men. Distinguishing himself among his peers as a man of great faith and prayer, Washington's prayer journals reflect a passionate and humble servant of God, who sought His Creator's will for each day.  Today, we see that good king Hezekiah is like George Washington in that he presents his problems to God and trusts in God's sovereignty over all things.

King Sennacherib has been a thorn in the side of many nations in the ancient world.  The Assyrians have conquered a wide territory and have now set their sites on Jerusalem.  Good King Hezekiah of Judah attempts to save Jerusalem by offering to pay off this King of Assyria.  Sennacherib sends Hezekiah a message that is read aloud at the gates of Jerusalem for all of the inhabitants of the city to hear.  It is a prideful and threatening note that reveals that Sennacherib does not understand or know the One True God of Israel.  It is the Assyrian King's assumption that when Hezekiah tore down all of the pagan shrines and altars, he was disrespecting his own god.  This was not the case.   The king's argument is that even Hezekiah's God will not protect him against King Sennacherib.  He ends his message by saying that it has been the Lord who has directed him to destroy the nations he has conquered.

After reading the message, the king's servant shouts to the people of Jerusalem to surrender.  The people respond in silence as commanded by their King Hezekiah.

A king in the ancient world was the military head of the nation.  Most kings had military commanders, but the king would lead their nation in battle.  Hezekiah tears his robes upon receiving the message from the King of Assyria.  He says, "This is a day of trouble, insult, and disgrace."  Have you ever had a day of trouble, insult and disgrace?  How did you handle it?  Well, here is how King Hezekiah handled it.  He called for the prophet Isaiah to come to the Temple.  In addition, he and his closest advisers begin to seek God in prayer.  Isaiah is able to reassure Hezekiah that the Lord is going to have the Assyrians return home and then, God is going to have Sennacherib killed by the sword.

Sennacherib gets word that his home territory is being attacked by Ethiopians, so he prepares to go home.  As a parting shot, he sends another taunting letter to Hezekiah.  With this letter in hand, Hezekiah goes to the Temple and lays the letter before the Lord. In fervent prayer, Hezekiah asks the Lord to rescue his people so that all the nations of the earth will know that He, alone, is God.  Hezekiah confirms in his prayer that the other gods defeated by Sennacherib were not gods at all.

Through Isaiah, the Lord sends a message to Hezekiah.  This guy is getting a lot of messages recently!  This is the kind of message you want to receive.  Here is what God says to the King of Assyria who is Hezekiah's enemy:

• God is laughing at the pompous King Sennacherib.
• When Sennacherib insulted Hezekiah and the kingdom of Judah, he was insulting the Holy One of Israel.
• His messengers have mocked the Lord.
• You (Sennacherib) brag about all of your accomplishments, but it was I, the Lord, who decided long ago to have all of this happen.
• People have been easy for you to crush because I was controlling the situation.
• I see your comings and your goings.
• I see that you have raged against Me.
• I am going to put a hook in your nose and a bridle in your mouth and make you return home.

Isaiah further prophesies that the people of Judah will not be under siege, but will be able to grow their own crops.  The Lord is not going to allow the Assyrians to enter the city because of His own honor and for the sake of His servant, David.  God says that He will defend the city.

The next thing that happens is that the angel of the Lord, who is Jesus Christ pre-incarnate, goes out and single-handedly kills 185,000 Assyrians in their camp outside of Jerusalem.  The Assyrians awake to see all of the corpses of the troops. In haste, they pack up to go back to Nineveh.  King Sennacherib dies when his own sons plot to kill him.

What can we learn from this story?

Lessons:  God is in control of everything.  He is sovereign.  George Washington was right to pray to God about his enemies.  Hezekiah was right to lay out his problems before the Lord. We should lay out our problems before our Sovereign God. Jesus is a warrior who fights for us.  He is willing and able to get into the battle.  Jesus will fight for you as you struggle against sin and the trials of the fallen world.  God sees those who rage against Him and ultimately, they are judged.

Do you lay your problems before God daily?  Do you find comfort in knowing that God controls everything?

Acts 21:1-17

The Apostle Paul is completing his third missionary journey. Dr. Luke, the author of the book of Acts, details the itinerary for this portion of the trip.  At each place that they stop the Holy Spirit is confirming through the believers that Paul is going to suffer in Jerusalem.  They pray to the Lord about this situation and try to convince Paul to not go to that city. They are laying out their troubles to the Lord just like George Washington and Hezekiah.  There is crying and begging. There is cajoling and fussing. Finally,with Paul insisting that he must go even if it means his death, the believers say, "The will of the Lord be done."

This reading ends with Luke noting that they were cordially greeted by the believers in Jerusalem when they arrived.

Lesson:  Sometimes we just need to say, "May the will of the Lord be done." 

Can you submit to the Lord's will, even if it might mean the death of someone you love?

Psalm 149:1-9

Get out your tambourine and shake it while you read this psalm aloud!

Proverbs 18:8

Do you like to eat dainty morsels?  This proverb says that tidbits of gossip are like dainty morsels we consume.  You can make a nice meal of gossiping over tea or Starbucks.  These morsels will go down into your heart.  May not be too good for your heart, though.

What did you learn today?

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton