Discover His heart: His power is on our side to defeat the enemy
One of the best Christian songs of the 80’s was Carman’s The Champion, the battle of the ages between Lucifer and Jesus. It reminds us of who our enemy is, but more importantly, it reminds us of Who our God is – The Champion! King Hezekiah experienced God’s victory first hand when he trusted Him to fight his battle.
How refreshing to finally read about King Hezekiah, a king who was faithful to the Lord, a champion in his own right. “In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.” (31:21) Hezekiah’s heart for God directed him to restore temple worship and once again follow the laws of God, and the Lord rewarded his efforts.
The Northern Kingdom had already fallen to the Assyrians, and now King Hezekiah and the Southern Kingdom were under siege by them. Hezekiah encouraged his people with these words, “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” (32:7)
Hezekiah’s words were just what the Israelites needed as Assyrian King Sennacherib hurled his insults and threats at them, “What are you trusting in that makes you think you can survive my siege of Jerusalem? Surely you must realize what I and the other kings of Assyria before me have done to all the people of the earth! Were any of the gods of those nations able to rescue their people from my power?…No god of any nation or kingdom has ever yet been able to rescue his people from me or my ancestors. How much less will your God rescue you from my power!” (32:10,13-15)
Well, I can tell you I’ve been there. The enemy comes around in the heat of the battle, pouring his lies and deceit to bring discouragement with a kidney punch or two. Jesus called his bluff when He said of the devil, “He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44) Really, why would we believe anything he says?
We could only expect the enemy to hit below the belt when he belittles the power of the living God. How foolish! It is then that the Spirit of the Lord rises up within us and just like Hezekiah’s uplifting words, we can encourage ourselves with the Word of God. “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (I John 4:4) “No weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you.” (Isaiah 54:17) “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.” (Revelation 1:17) The Champion!
“And the Lord sent an angel who destroyed the Assyrian army with all its commanders and officers. So Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace to his own land.” (32:21) Sennacherib was defeated, discouraged and down for the count because a godly king “sought his God wholeheartedly.” And we, too, will be victorious and defeat our enemy when we refuse his lies and accusations in the midst of the fight and turn to the Champion of our Faith, the Lord Jesus Christ who will take him down.
Moving Forward: I won’t even begin to listen to the lies of the enemy today, much less believe him. I seek God with my whole heart because the battle is His, and He always wins – He’s the Champion!
Tomorrow @ Psalms 125-127
Phyllis Benigas 