July 31: Of Churchill and Hezekiah

2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21

Romans 15:1-22

Psalm 25:1-15

Proverbs 20:13-15

"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…"

In May of 1940, Britain needed a miracle to effect a retreat from the German attack across the channel from Dunkirk.  Germany was on the offensive, France had fallen, and Britain feared she would soon follow.  It was in that dark time that the PM, Winston Churchill, addressed Parliament.  He described their plight, then with his words, turned Britain from hopelessness and fear, to resolve and hope.  That renewal of spirit led, five years later, to Germany's surrender, and Allied victory.

Centuries earlier, Judah's King Hezekiah faced the same thing.  Judah was mired in defeat and despair, having been beaten by the Arameans, the Israelites and the Edomites, all because  the king's father had led Judah away from God during his sixteen-year reign.  Hezekiah described their plight, then with his words, exhorted Judah to turn from her sinful ways, and return to God.  That led to a great renewal in Judah, so much so the author of the book of Kings wrote in 2 Kings 18:5 that Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel.  There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him."

If you are like me, there are many times in your life you've found yourself mired in helplessness and despair.  You've found yourself in seemingly hopeless situations, problems that seem to have neither solution nor ending.  The good news is that we need neither Churchill nor Hezekiah.  Paul writes of "the God of hope" who can "fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you" - we - "may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit".

Where then do we find the words like those two men used to exhort us?  Today's psalm seems particularly apt: "I trust in You, do not let me be put to shame".  And "My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He will release my feet from the snare".

Father, when things are tough, and all seems lost, remind us You are in control.  Exhort us with Your Word, strengthen our resolve, so we may one day see Your victory. 

PS - Happy birthday RG