A day of distress (2)

"This day is a day of trouble, and of punishment, and of reproach ; for children have come to birth, and there is no strength to give birth." 2 Kings 19. 3

The city of Jerusalem is besieged by the armies of the king of Assyria. This is a particularly difficult seat. The strong cities of Judah were taken by King Sankherib who sends to the besieged the Rab-shake, one of the great men of his kingdom, to agree a surrender and to discourage the people of Judah who lands in the capital. His words are humiliating and fallacious : "Hezekiah do not deceive you ; for he can not deliver you from the hand of the king. And let not Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, Surely the LORD will deliver us" (2 Kings 18: 29,30). He promises that if the people surrender, of course, he will be deported, but in a country as beautiful as their present earth, where everyone will have his share. Those who are on the wall report, torn clothes, these remarks to their king.

What will Hezekiah do ? To surrender ? Resist ? He considers that it is first of all God, more than himself, who is outraged by the words of RabShake. He tears his clothes, puts on a sack, showing deep humiliation, and sends messengers to the prophet Isaiah. He feels his total lack of personal strength, such as a woman about to give birth to whom he would lack all vigor. In the depths of distress, Hezekiah relies on God for deliverance and awaits an answer from the prophet. This answer comes, beautiful : "Do not be afraid" (2 Kings 19. 6). It will be a great deliverance by an angel of the Lord. "The right hand of the LORD acts mightily" (Ps 118. 15). In a perilous, not to say desperate situation, Hezekiah humbled himself, sought the LORD, and he responded favorably. Is not this what every child of God must do when he goes through distress : to rely on his Master, and on him alone ?

Thank God for being the one who delivers your child who goes through distress. Give me everything to always give you back and to trust you in everything, to feel my weakness and to snuggle into your arms. Did you not say to me : "Call on me in the day of trouble ; I will deliver you, and you will glorify me ?" (Ps 50. 15).

Source (Pleasing the Lord)