Help!

O. T. #1621  "Help!"
Feb. 4, 2020
Isaiah 37-Part 2
Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that Thou are the LORD, even Thou only. (verse 20)

LET IT GLOW

In the last chapter, we read where the king of the Empire Assyria sent his cupbearer to deliver a nasty threatening message to King Hezekiah of Judah. Now Hezekiah had sent three of his trustworthy men to receive it. When the king heard it this first message, he went sorrowfully to the Temple to pray. Also, he sent two of those men and priests to Isaiah the prophet so he would pray. God's reassuring message to Hezekiah was that He would take care it Assyria.

Before the king of Assyria left the area, he sent a letter to Hezekiah by way of his messengers so Judah would know he had not abandoned his plan to conquer Judah. This time, Hezekiah sorrowfully went to the Temple to pray a tremendous prayer. Laying out the letter before the Lord, how did the king pray?

• He recognized the God of Heaven was the God of Israel, who God is and their utter dependence upon Him (verse  16);
• He requested God to see and hear the reproach (to defame, defy, blaspheme) of their enemy (verse 17);
• He realized the success of Assyria to conquer other nations and cities, but recognized their gods were only the work of men's hands and had not power (verse 19);
• He humbly and genuinely prayed for God to rescued Jerusalem and save them from their enemy; and that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that God is the only God (verse 20);

What a prayer! It is a good example for us as we pray.

God was glorified as the only Creator and Sovereign of the world. The king did not presume upon God's grace, but asked God to judge the Assyrians for the right reason-everyone would know He alone was God. (Tony Evans)

LET IT GROW

What was God's response through Isaiah to Hezekiah's prayer concerning Assyria's king?

• Even though God allowed Assyria to conquer the northern kingdom of Israel, because of their rebellion against Him, He would not allow them to conquer Judah. (The virgin daughter of  Zion was Jerusalem.) (verse 22)
• Assyria had ultimately mocked God when they defied, ridiculed, and mocked Judah. (verse 23)
• God was going to cut down Assyria like a tree and stop up the rivers. (verse 24)
• Long ago God decided a plan and now He was making it happen. (verse 26)
• God knew Assyria well, their comings and goings, their rage against the Lord, and their arrogance. (verse 28)

In other words, don't mess with God's children and don't reproach and blaspheme God. Those are some things He will not stand for, put up with, allow to continue.

The word reproach is used 4 times in this chapter-verses 4,7,23, 24.
The word blasphemed means a revilement (verbal abuse), and is used twice-verses 6 and 23.

Woe be unto the king of Assyria. He done it, as our slang would say it. God has had it with those people. We will read more about them next time and how God judges those heathens.

"For I know the plans I have for you;" declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11

Hezekiah persisted in prayer and faith even though he could not see the answer coming. When we pray, we must have faith that God has already prepared the best answer. Our task is to ask in faith and wait in humility. (Life Application Study Bible)

Do we acknowledge God's holiness, power, and sovereignty when we pray?
Do we lay out our problems before the Lord as the king did here?
Do we declare God's wisdom and He knows best how to handle this?
Are we leaving it with Him?

LET IT GO
God, You are my Savior, Redeemer, Sustainer, Healer, Protector, Provider.
Everything I have ever needed, You have always been.
God is the Great I AM.