2 Kings 18-19 Finally A Breath Of Fresh Air!

What a man Hezekiah proved to be in these chapters!  He became king at age 25 and ruled until he was 54.  He was the only king to tear down the places where gods were worshiped on the hills.  He broke up the Asherah idols.  God said that no other king had been like him!  "Hezekiah TRUSTED in The Lord, the God of Israel."  THAT was his strongest point!

Once, when Assyria attacked, he did remove the gold plating he'd had re-installed on the walls of the Temple (presumably, it had been removed before), and how that must have grieved him to do so, in order to pay Assyria to stay away.  Assyria had just overwhelmed Israel.

Later, the Assyrian commander came bearing a letter from his king and told the citizens and Hezekiah's advisors that they were FOOLISH to trust in God -- that Assyria had overcome all other gods of the other nations it had conquered and would overcome THEIRS as well.  Hearing this, Hezekiah tore his clothes, dressed himself in rough cloth, and went to the Temple, where he SPREAD THE LETTER BEFORE THE LORD, pleading for Him to HEAR and to SEE and to LISTEN.  He ACKNOWLEDGED the strength of his enemy, by he TRUSTED GOD and prayed for His salvation to be shown.

God ANSWERED with His OWN message to the Assyrian king.  His reply was that long ago He had PLANNED AND DESIGNED everything that the Assyrian king had accomplished, and He'd ALLOWED them to happen, but because the king had dared to insult God and spoken against Him and raised his voice to him and set a proud look on his face, God would TAKE ALL THAT BACK.  And He did.

Father, again last night I realized anew what You've given ME -- what You'd planned and designed for ME before the world was formed.  How You have blessed me, Father, despite the times I've disappointed You!  Please remind me of Hezekiah and how he spread HIS problems out before You and prayed for Your intervention.  Help me to remain a man after Your own heart!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford