Isaiah 37-39, psalm 76

Today's passage: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2037-39,%20psalm%2076&version=NIV

Of course King Hezekiah is not perfect, but in chapter 37, he does show a wonderful example of how to handle a crisis. When he heard that the great army of Assyria was at his doorstep, he responded with urgency, repentance, humility, and selflessness.

Hezekiah’s response is immediate. “As soon as King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the LORD. “ (Isaiah 37:1). As soon as he heard the words of the Rabshakeh, he turned to God. He did not consult his advisors, he didn’t go out to meet the army, he didn’t survey his options; he immediately turned to God.

When faced with crisis, verse 1 also says that Hezekiah tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. In biblical times, sackcloth indicated repentance. Hezekiah put pride aside and donned a visual symbol of repentance, humility and dependence upon God on behalf of Judah.

In verse 3, Hezekiah admitted that Judah has no power to deliver itself a victory. He attributes any glory to God and recognizes his own weakness and the weakness of the people of Judah.

In verse 4, Hezekiah acknowledges what matters most – not that his kingdom survive, but that God’s glory is realized. The name of the Lord is being mocked by the Rabshakeh and Hezekiah prays for vindication. He prays that God intervene and rescue Judah that they may be proof of his glory and his power.

The Lord responds to Hezekiah’s prayer and draws the army away, but Hezekiah is left with the threat that they will return. Hezekiah’s response in verses 14-20 follows the same pattern of urgency, repentance, humility and selflessness.

In the end of chapter 37, we see that God does keep his promise and the angel of the Lord strikes down the Assyrian army. Judah is safe for now.

We will all come face to face with crisis in our lifetimes – more than once. How will you respond? Hezekiah’s response in chapter 37 gives us such a wonderful lesson on how to respond with urgency, repentance, humility and selflessness. This response was evidence of Hezekiah’s authentic faith. Pray that God will prepare your heart for crisis so that you may respond as Hezekiah did in chapter 37. Take some time to acknowledge his power and his glory and his perfect plan. Ask Him to build in you a faith that allows you to be proof of his glory and his power.

Today's post submitted by Kelly Coxe