2 Kings 19:9-13, 14-19, 32-37
HEZEKIAH, son of Ahaz, became king when he was 25 years old. He reigned for 29 years in Jerusalem. Hezekiah was a surprise of grace; he was a good King who called upon the name of the Lord unlike his father, Ahaz. When a good king is crowned, a whole nation is grateful.
The first half of Hezekiah's reign is to be considered a great spiritual awakening for Israel. Worship was restored and false worship was exposed. The people were more than willing to respond in overwhelming generosity.
When worship of God is authentic, so will the hearts of people be stirred to obey God in fulfilling His purpose. The Priest and Levites were purged! Passover was celebrated again. There was abundant joy in the city. Gifts overflowed for the care of the poor. Just when these reforms were in place and the people were spiritually high, then came the CRISIS!
No one wants a crisis, yet, it is the only way to test and purify our faith in God. It takes a crisis to show that we are driving with defective brakes. We do not like it, but we thank God for it! Hezekiah's faith was tested and Hezekiah's fame expanded through this crisis. Faith tested is a wonderfully humbling experience and encounter with God while fame expanded is an introduction to the very slippery and dangerous 2nd half! Faith in God should help anyone favored with fame.
A crisis at hand (2 Kings 19:9-13)
How do you define a crisis? A crisis occurs when you have an impossible situation without a solution at hand and which requires immediate solutions. It is here that our options are narrowed to nothing; when our faith is most fertile alongside our frustrations; and it is here that we learn to bow down before God. Hezekiah did not know what to do but his faith knew where and who to go to.
A cry for help (14-19)
The King and the prophet Isaiah together in prayer (2Chron.32:20), what a sight to see two powerful people acknowledging their powerlessness before God. Leaders kneeling together before the throne of grace is a picture of godly governance. Prayer is both simple and profound that it becomes a meaningless religious regimen when not done in faith.
Contrary to the popular saying, “God helps those who help themselves” is the truth “God helps the helpless who calls on His Name”, who call in desperation (God, if you will not help, we will perish); who are dependent (You alone LORD); and defiant (like David saying to Goliath, “I come to you in the name of the God of Israel whom you defy”).
A conquest without a fight (32-37)
• The wisdom of God breaks us. God's wisdom is so different from ours, so simple compared to our many complicated, brilliant ideas.
• The ways of God bring us to bow down in humble acknowledgement of our great need for God, in humble expression of gratitude and surrender to His Will.
Whenever God allows us a victory that clearly shows it is God's doing, we need to reflect on these insights:
1. God will not share the glory with anyone, man or woman.
2. God can handle his enemies His way.
3. God alone gets the glory.
4. God chooses to honor and hear the cry of the helpless.
Crisis tests our faith in God, is an invitation to cry for help; our faith in God is always triumphant and is an invitation to walk by faith again and again. The glory of God is exclusive an invitation to be powerless. The wisdom and ways of God are different and deviant from our expectations and is an invitation to solitude and surrender. The judgment of God is sure an invitation to reflect and repent.
In closing, let me thank you for reading the articles. For the whole month of September, I will be silent, a timely rest and spiritual retreat -- no preaching, no writing, no radio broadcast, no ministry. I am both excited and scared. For 30 years in ministry, this is my first time to take a month-long Sabbath. Thanks to Dr. Gerry Molato who will take my place. Lord-willing, I will be back in October.