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Reflect
Have you ever gotten news that was so alarming that it cut you to the core? News that so overwhelmed you to the point that you didn’t know what to do? Undoubtedly, each of us has received news that left us utterly upset and distressed to the point that our world felt as if it simply dropped out from under us. The questions we must answer in these moments are, “Where will we turn?” and “What will we do?” in light of this news.
In this passage, we find King Hezekiah just having received horrific news from the officials he’d dispatched to negotiate with Assyria (v 1). However, instead of curling into a ball or reaching out to other nations for help, Hezekiah turns to the only person and the only source of strength he can imagine might offer some form of aid in light of their bleak circumstances – God and the prophet Isaiah (vv 2-7).
Reading on, though, we begin to see how the prophecy from God will play out in undermining the King of Assyria (vv 8-9). We also see that Sennacherib is all the more determined to shake the faith of Hezekiah and the people of Judah in their God (vv 10-13). Again, Hezekiah’s response is to turn to the only place and the only one he knows might offer a way out of this situation – God.
Each of us will undoubtedly face overwhelming odds and situations at different times in our lives. Similarly, we will each be faced with answering the questions, “Where will we turn?” and “What will we do?” in light of our circumstances. The example of King Hezekiah must serve as an example that no person can be there for us, nothing can save or deliver us, other than the Lord our God.
Respond
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that no matter the situation or circumstance I might face, it is never bigger than you. I pray that you’d help me today to put my trust solely in you despite the solutions that the world might offer. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Arthur Satterwhite III
Arthur L. Satterwhite III serves as the National Movements Ministry Mobilizer at American Bible Society where he currently oversees the organization’s work with Protestant denominations, para-Church ministries, and Christian events and conferences. In this role, Arthur leads ABS’ efforts to serve, equip and collaborate with Christian leaders in order to positively shift individuals’ perception of the Bible and drive their constituencies toward active Bible engagement.