Text: 2 Kings 19:8-19
Memory text:
“Now because of this, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, prayed and cried out to heaven.”
II Chronicles 32:20 NKJV
When you cry out to God, the unstoppable will be stopped, and the unconquerable will be conquered. Rather than being terrified and crying to your enemies, turn your cries to the Almighty God, and He will turn your fears into favour (Psa 56:9).
In our text today, Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, came against Hezekiah and the people of Judah. He sent letters through his messengers to insult Yahweh and Hezekiah. He asserted
that no other national god had delivered their people, and neither could Yahweh deliver them. They claimed that Yahweh was a
manmade idol like the other gods of the nations. They compared the Almighty One to idols, like baal, dagon, and others, who cannot defend themselves and declared that Sennacherib had proven record as being unstoppable and unconquerable.
It was this insult and dishonour done to God that stirred Hezekiah and prophet Isaiah to cry out to God. More than the concern for their lives, the people and the city, they were touched by the indignity done to the name of the Lord. “And they spoke against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth—the work of men’s hands.”
II Chronicles 32:19
When the glory of God becomes the primary motivation for your crying, then you will attract God’s speedy response. It was for the glory of God that the apostles prayed, which resulted in the shake of the building and their fresh empowerment (Acts 4:24-31).
Our God is the Almighty One, the Incomparable, Incredible, Unconquerable, Unstoppable, and the Unchallengeable! 2 Kings 19:35-37 describes how He dealt with Sennacherib. An angel struck 185,000 Assyrian men dead at night, the king returned home in shame, and there, his own servants killed him! God frustrated his devices, and his hands couldn’t perform his plans (Job 5:12). The Assyrian army was turned back without having even shot an arrow into Jerusalem. The unstoppable was stopped, and the undefeated was defeated. Hallelujah!
While Sennacherib was incensed, shamed, and destroyed, Hezekiah was delivered and honoured. He received gifts and “was exalted in the sight of all nations,” (2 Chro 32:23; Isa 41:10; Psa 91:15). And Judah had rest on all sides.
Friends, if the glory of God is your reason for crying out to God, your speedy answer is guaranteed.
Prayer points
1. Father, deliver me from self-centered prayers and cause me to be concerned about your glory and Your righteousness, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, arise and stop everyone who boasts against You and as being unstoppable and unconquerable, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. When the glory of God is my primary reason for crying to God, then a speedy answer is assured.
2. When I cry out to God, He doesn’t only deliver me but also honours me.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng