Rescue and Help of God – Part IV
The Lord is very particular about His people. Whenever they have been threatened, and have submitted to their Creator God, He has been gracious to come to their rescue. Umpteen instances have upheld the faithfulness of God. One such incident occurred during the time of King Hezekiah. It is an incident outstanding without a parallel anywhere and an eye-opener about our Great and wonderful Lord.
Hezekiah became king of Judah in 727 B.C. He purified and repaired the Temple, purged its idols, reformed the priesthood, and brought about all round prosperity. Later Sennacherib and his forces laid siege at Lachish. II Chronicles 32.16-17 “And his servants spake yet more against the LORD God, and against his servant Hezekiah. 17 He wrote also letters to rail on the LORD God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.” Hezekiah went to the temple of the lord and spread the letter before the Lord and prayed II Kings 19:15-16 “And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. 16 LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.”
The Lord heard the prayer and assured that the king of Assyria would not shoot an arrow nor build siege ramps. The way he came the same way he shall return. II Kings 19:35-37 “And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh. 37 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.”
In II Chronicles 32:20-21 it is confirmed “And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. 21 And the LORD sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So, he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.”
No one can rebel and insult the Living God. At the same time, no one can insult and destroy His people. When the people cry out to their God, He comes to rescue and nothing, whatsoever can harm them. The Lord is zealous for His selected. He promises in Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Dr Ashwin Drummond
Laddertoheaven.co.in