“Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged
because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is 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!..”
-2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (New Living Translation)
“Then king Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried
out in prayer to God in heaven. 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…”
-2 Chronicles 32:20-21 (New Living Translation)
Sounds impossible? Well, our God is a God of the Impossible!
This is not the first instance where you can witness God’s power to rescue His
people. Throughout the Bible, He reminds us of his faithfulness, yet when we face
an ambush by the enemy, we tend to doubt His presence.
If you go through the story of Hezekiah and understand the background
of the verses I’ve mentioned, you will understand the challenge Hezekiah had to
face. At one end the Assyrian army which was stronger than Hezekiah’s army; and
on the other end the Israelites, who needed to be encouraged. But, didn’t
Hezekiah need encouragement too? Wasn’t he in a more responsible position? He also
would have panicked for that moment; but he was reminded of God’s great power.
He believed that God was faithful and He was all that they needed. He rested in
the fact that ‘God is Mighty to Save!’
You might face an ambush by the enemy. Maybe, you’re just
not ready to face the storm raging towards you but it seems inevitable. People
around you might no be helpful in lifting you up – maybe, they’re just pushing
you even closer to the storm. What do you do at such a time? Do you question ‘God, where are you?’ or do you proclaim
in faith ‘I know you’re here, God. I know
that You will carry me through’?
It is easier said than done; but when we are rooted in
Christ, keep consuming His word and His Truth, things become much easier to follow.
Hezekiah was able to encourage his people because he knew that his God was able
to help him achieve the impossible.
If you feel disheartened, let down, crushed or overcome,
believe in God who can do the impossible for you. If things are not in your
favor today, He will turn the tables for you at His right time, in His right
way. As Sennacherib was forced to return home in disgrace, so will your
situations change. God has called you to be the head and not the tail (Deuteronomy 28:13). If you cry out to
Him, He will answer you and deliver you. The only thing you need to remember is
that faith and fear don’t go hand in hand. The more you keep focusing on His
goodness in your life and the more you remember all the times He has delivered
you, you will find it easier to trust in His faithfulness. Shift your focus from
your storm to His goodness. Keep reminding yourself of His mighty works in your
life. Keep encouraging yourself with the testimonies of fellow believers. Trust
that your God can make a way where there seems to be no way. All you have to do
is give your battles to the Lord, let Him lead you and guide you through. He
will either win it for you without you doing anything (all you need to do is
trust Him), or He will empower you through His Spirit to fight it out; the
result will remain the same – You will emerge as a victor if you trust Him and
obey Him.
