Title: The Road to the Last Victory
2 Kings (46) The road to becoming the last victor
(2 Kings 19:21-37)
1. We must let go of pride
When King Hezekiah prayed earnestly after hearing the ridicule and threats of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, God heard his prayer and gave the answer through Isaiah that Jerusalem would rather despise and ridicule the Assyrian army (verse 21). How could such a dramatic reversal of history have emerged? Sennacherib's rebuking and slandering of Hezekiah was the same as rebuking and slandering Jehovah God, the 'Holy One of Israel' (verse 22), so God's wrath came upon Sennacherib.
How did Sennacherib slander him then? He promised that he would bring many chariots and devastate Israel and its neighbors (verses 23-24). God rebuked him for his arrogant attitude, and he said that it was God who destroyed the fortified cities by Sennacherib, and he said that he should not be arrogant as he had done it (25-26). But Sennacherib, knowing that he was good and accomplished the task, lost his humility and resisted God (verse 27). It was his pride that ultimately led to Sennacherib's disastrous defeat.
The biggest reason people perish is because of pride. Pride is also the number one cause that hinders the growth of faith and causes wounds. If you are humble, you are less likely to hurt, but you are less likely to be hurt. The greatest enemy of life is pride. People constantly want to be recognized. Feeling frustrated and upset when others do not recognize you or serve you is a sign that pride is winning over humility in your heart. Only by reversing that situation can you turn your life around and turn a crisis into an opportunity.
When you are deeply aware of your own shortcomings and try to get closer to the Word and learn more, you will receive God's love and approval, and you will receive the respect and approval of others. So, always train and make humility a part of it. Although Jesus was the Son of God, he lived humbly by always exalting God's name and praying, and he practiced humility by obedience to the point of dying on the cross. The prayer subject that believers should pray the most is to ask for humility. The prayer topic to ask for humility while thinking about the blessings and fruits that humility will bring is to ask for the greatest blessing.
2. You must have hope
God gave warnings to the king of Assyria through Isaiah, but he gave Hezekiah a word of hope that he would restore, protect, and save Jerusalem (verses 29-33). Why does God protect and save Jerusalem? The first reason is for God. God wants to be glorified through all things, not just the salvation of Jerusalem. The second reason is for David. God wants to faithfully keep the covenant he made with David by keeping Jerusalem.
God's faithfulness is evident not only to David, but also to all the saints today. That faithfulness is the root of hope. Belief in God's faithfulness is the greatest spiritual emergency that gives strength to the hearts of believers. No matter how difficult, difficult, sad, and shameful things are, if you are convinced of God's faithfulness, the wound will no longer be a wound, and from then on the wound will heal rapidly. So, no matter how desperate the situation, keep your head up and keep hope in your faith in God's faithfulness.
Finally, that night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 soldiers in the Assyrian camp. When he woke up early in the morning, they were all dead (verse 35). Sennacherib, king of Assyria, who had lost all his soldiers so tragically, retreated and settled in Nineveh. He would have been out of his mind then and had almost lost his leadership as king. In the end, while Sennacherib worshiped at the temple of his god Nisrok, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer killed him with the sword and fled to the land of Ararat, and Esarhaddon, another son of Sennacherib, became king in his place (verses 36-37). ).
In front of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, who had gained momentum by conquering neighboring countries, the powerless kings of Judah and Hezekiah seemed to have no chance of defending the country. But it was a human thought. God dramatically removed the proud Sennacherib and opened the way for Judas to salvation. As such, the history of salvation in which 1% of probability becomes 100% of reality and the history of turning despair into hope are still possible in God.
There are times in our lives when we find ourselves in a situation similar to that of King Hezekiah. It is a time when a dreadful adversary threatens, and a spirit of discouragement, fear, and despair overtakes. Then do not be disappointed and do not be afraid. And do not complain or complain. Even then, faithfully abide in the faithful God. Then God will deal directly with the enemy. God is in perfect control of every situation. God controls my life, but He also controls the lives of others. Even if there are ups and downs in life, the saints will ultimately be put on the victorious position.