Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: 2 Kings 19 and Psalm 136

The events of 2 Kings 19 put the war between fear and faith on display. The Assyrian field commander aimed to instil fear and hopelessness in the Jewish people, leaders and king. He wanted them to surrender meekly. His vocal threats in 2 Kings 18, and his written threats in chapter 19 boasted of the ferocity of the Assyrian army and its merciless destruction of every city and nation that had tried to stand in its way. His words were aimed at striking terror into the hearts of God’s people. Initially this strategy seemed to be working.

King Hezekiah was deeply distressed and filled with despair. There was every danger of him folding under the pressure. But his reaction to this fear is what ultimately led to victory. He took all of his feelings and brought them into submission to the LORD. He did not allow his feelings to make his decisions for him. Instead he openly acknowledged his despair and his need of God (v.1); he sent for the prophet to inquire of the LORD (v.2-4); he received the LORD’s word (v.5-7); he spread out his problem before the LORD in a spirit of determined faith and praise (v.14-18); and he cried out to the LORD for deliverance (v.19).

Hezekiah chose faith over fear. He chose to allow his faith to lead his decision-making, not his fears. His faith translated itself into fervent prayer, and the LORD responded with a powerful promise and an equally powerful deliverance (v.35-37).

Holy Spirit, please empower me to make every decision today in faith and not in fear. Grant me the spiritual gift of faith, I pray, so that I may open my life to Your guidance, respond in obedience, and witness Your hand at work. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.