When The Threats Come

O. T. #1618  "When The Threats Come"
Feb. 3, 2020
Isaiah 37

LET IT GLOW

What do we do when threats come? Are we like Judah, compared to a woman who is trying to give birth to a child  but is too weak to deliver? How did King Hezekiah handle the threats? He didn't give up.

Previously, we heard the words of the cupbearer, Rabshakeh, of the king of Assyrian and their threats so Jerusalem would surrender to them. He made the mistake of mocking the ability of Jerusalem's God.
[Keep in mind that Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44) as we apply these verses to us.]

What happened on the day of trouble, insults, and disgrace?

• When King Hezekiah heard the report of Assyria's threat, what did he do? He did the right thing-tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and went to the house of the LORD. Hezekiah sent the same messengers to Prophet Isaiah.
• The message was: There was no strength after hearing the threats; the Assyrian king defied the Living God; perhaps He will punish him; pray for the remnant let.
• Isaiah's response was: Don't be disturbed by this blasphemous speech. God will move against them; the king will receive a message that he is needed at home, so he will return to his land; God will kill the king with His sword. (This is what the Lord said.)
• Before King Sennacherib left, he sent a letter to Hezekiah: Don't let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you with promises that Jerusalem will not be captured by the king of Assyria. You know perfectly well that we have completely destroyed everyone who stood in our way.

Well, well, well, the Lord heard the mocking message and threat to God and Jerusalem, God's beloved city. God would defend His people and vindicate His great name. Hezekiah knew this.

Friends, do we recognize that our God fights for His children? Do we have that strong faith in our times of threats and troubles from our enemies?

LET IT GROW

When King Hezekiah received that letter from the king of Assyria, what did he do? He spread it out before the LORD while in the Temple.

What can we learn from this story? If you missed the first seven points Kay Arthur taught about the blessings that can come when the enemy threatens us, read our previous lesson. Now, let's continue with it:
8. The enemy drives us to the house of God, praying, and rallying the troops, Christian prayer
     warriors. (verse 4)
9. The enemy causes us to see the divine sovereignty of God over the hearts of men.
10. The enemy causes us to remember who God is. He alone is our deliverer.
11. The enemy provides us with stories of God's deliverance.

Rest assured, God will protect His name and reputation. When we are a child of God, make sure we do not become a slave to fear. Then, make our goal to give glory to God when He delivers us from the evil one.

When threats and problems come into our life, we should take it to the Lord our God, and ask others to pray for us. Then watch God move as only He can.

LET IT GO
                              ... and let God handle my situation.
                              ... and say, "I am a child of God."
                              ... and do not fear, for God has this.