July 1

2 Kings 19

King Hezekiah found himself in what seemed to be a hopeless situation when Sennacherib captured the cities of Judah.  Hezekiah had two choices - he could surrender at Sennacheribs request or he could acknowledge God's sovereignty and the nations total dependency on God and go to the temple and pray.  Hebrews 4:16 tells us that we can approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  Hezekiah exemplifies this truth in his prayer.  He went to the temple and he didn't just lift up a prayer - he lifted up an entire nation.  "Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone O Lord are God" (v.19)  As I was reading through this I realized the crisis that Hezekiah faced is one I personally battle with every day and also we as a nation face.  There is only One true Living God.  When the enemy shows up in my personal circumstances, or on a larger scale in our nation, and screams "surrender" - it's time for us to follow Hezekiahs model and approach the Throne of Grace knowing that God is Sovereign.  Hezekiahs prayer was heard by the God of Israel - the One who is enthroned between the cherubim (v.15).  Because of the cross, our prayers are heard by Jesus who has been seated at the right hand of God (Mark 16:19) and is able to save completely those who come to God through him because He lives to intercede for us (Heb. 7:25).  Today Lord as we lift up our prayers to you, we choose to claim Your Sovereignty.  I ask Lord that when the enemy screams "surrender" you deliver us from his hand and that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord.






Randi