Turning Tragedies I to Blessings.

Turning Tragedies Into Blessings 

II Kings 21:23-24 NKJV

[23] Then the servants of Amon conspired against him, and killed the king in his own house. [24] But the people of the land executed all those who had conspired against King Amon. Then the people of the land made his son Josiah king in his place.

Josiah was programmed  to be fatherless and a failure. He was meant to be another young child the devil could dominate in preparation to run the throne. Let me explain.The National Center For Fathering predicts what the likelihood of people like Josiah were going to be in life. "... children from fatherless homes are more likely to be poor, become involved in drug and alcohol abuse, drop out of school, and suffer from health and emotional problems. Boys are more likely to become involved in crime, and girls are more likely to become pregnant as teens". That information is from The Journal Of Family Issues 25( January,2004 ). It has more damaging information. Thank God Josiah didn't read that. Sometimes ignorance is a blessing. That means that sometimes being unaware of certain information can allow you face life with a stronger sense of peace. Add to that , God was ahead of the enemy. The mother, Jedidah, did an excellent job. Josiah was eight when he became King.

   Josiah's father, Amon was assasinated, by his servants. But they were not celebrated. They touched the Lord's  anointed. They died for it. The lesson is that our job is to pray against evil, not to act as God. We are about to enter one of the finest seasons of religious reforms Judah had ever known. God can, and will turn your tragedies into blessings. The help will come from a very unlikely source. Just imagine with me the consternation in hell.... wondering: how did they loose it?  Today, may that consternation bring you joy and peace and your enthronement in Jesus Name. Good morning.

when God Responds

When God Responds 

II Kings 21:10-14 NKJV

[10] And the Lord spoke by His servants the prophets, saying, [11] “Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations (he has acted more wickedly than all the Amorites who were before him, and has also made Judah sin with his idols), [12] therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle. [13] And I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. [14] So I will forsake the remnant of My inheritance and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become victims of plunder to all their enemies, 

Sin is an " immoral act and a transgression of divine laws". It is not just a weakness  but a hamartia on what perhaps could have been a beautiful character. It is an offence against God. In theatre it is described as a tragic flaw, a fatal mistake that will lead to the downfall of the tragic hero. That description is from the Greek word, " to err".

   Whenever hamartia is at work, it will set forth chain of events that will eventually result in a reversal of fortunes for the character. In our read today, Manasseh and Judah are about to enter that reversal. God is the Judge. He is reading out the judgements through the prophets. Read that again. V.12 " Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle". There's a sense of dread on what God is about to unleash.

    " Hamartiology explains why, how, and the consequences of humans "missing the mark". It also explains how humans miss the mark of righteousness, which is God's standard for living". Any sin that is not confessed and forsaken will naturally attract God's response as judgement .  1 John 1:9 says, " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness". I think that's the sweetest verse in the Bible. Don't wait for God to respond. Its a mark of pride to assume you can beat God in this. Mannasseh learnt it the hard way, so you don't. We can break the hubris and go to God in repentance. God wont manipulate  you. His word is  standard. Keep the date tomorrow. Good morning.

The Book of Our Chronicles

The Book Of Our Chronicles 

II Kings 20:20-21 NKJV

[20] Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah—all his might, and how he made a pool and a tunnel and brought water into the city—ffdare they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? [21] So Hezekiah rested with his fathers. Then Manasseh his son reigned in his place.

In Revelation 20:12  the Bible records , "And books were opened". The books record our deeds, and on Judgment Day, we are judged based on what's written in them about about our lives. We may not be conscious, but books are being written about our lives. No one may see you, but God's all seeing eyes  are magnetting everything to your records. Casey Lewis explains the plot and scope of our story being prepared, "...we have to understand that we are character’s in God’s story. God is the writer of the story, and we are the characters. His story starts at creation (Gen. 1:1). It ends with those in Christ living for all of eternity in a recreated world (Rev. 22). Everyone’s life on earth occurs somewhere in between those two events, and we are all apart of the overarching story of God". 

   We've come to the end of Hezekiah's life, but there are Chronicles of how he lived. Transpose that and fill in your story. What will it read? Lewis continue s, " If God is the writer of our story, the place we are at right now is by design. It is a part of God’s sovereign plan for our life". Psalm 139:13-16. You have to be conscious of how you play the part you are assigned by God. At the post mortem, you will be asked how you played. Be conscious. You wont play your part for ever. There's an entry, but there's also an exit. Theres a time for the house curtain to come down. Are you ready? Good morning.

Casual Attitude To God's Word

Casual Attitude To Gods Word 

II Kings 20:17-19 NKJV

[17] ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. [18] ‘And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ ” [19] So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!” For he said, “Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?” 

This is an excerpt from KCM blog on  How To Respond To Prophecies. " 

The purpose of a prophecy is not entertainment or to be “in the know.” A prophecy is a call to action. The prophet’s role is to deliver the word of the Lord to His people. But that’s only the beginning. The fulfillment of a prophecy requires action from those who hear the words of a prophet. Once the word is delivered, we become co-laborers with God to bring it to pass". It is expected that the recipient of a prophecy should  take spiritual action to help prophetic words come to pass or deter it. In this instance, Hezekiah  did not behave as he did when he was confronted by the Assyrians. He never prayed about the words spoken by Isaiah. That is not how to respond to a prophecy.

   Hezekiah's response to Isaiah's prophecy was selfish, as he was more concerned with his own comfort than the nation's future. God sent Isaiah to Hezekiah to test his faith and give him the chance to trust God for his future. 

God healed Hezekiah and gave him an additional 15 years to live. Isaiah also prophesied that the Assyrian army would not capture Jerusalem. God destroyed the Assyrian army, as Isaiah had prophesied. 

    However, Hezekiah did have a selfish response to Isaiah's prophecy about the fall of his sons. This shows that we can still sin if we ever become casual to God's words. Here is how someone sums it up: " One of the sins with which we commonly struggle is the temptation not to trust in the Lord but in our own talents or alliances with others. Where do you find it difficult to trust God? Ask Him to help you believe Him and act according to the promises in His Word". There's nothing to add. We only have a response to make. Good morning.

Change Of Tactics

Change Of Tactics: Hezekiah And The Babylonian Envoys 

II Kings 20:12-13, 17 NKJV

[12] At that time Berodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. [13] And Hezekiah was attentive to them, and showed them all the house of his treasures—the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory—all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them...

[17] ‘Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the Lord. 

Spiritual warfare is sustained, constant, ongoing battle against evil  forces of darkness that can manifest in various ways, including through our thoughts, emotions, and actions.  It is tied to the broader struggle of the devil resisting the government of God. Even when God intervenes as in the case of Hezekiah, the enemy will find new strategies to fight. Now, Hezekiah has an additional fifteen years added to his life, so the enemy decided to act as a friend through the son of the King of Babylon. 

   The enemy is constantly looking for our vulnerabilities and patterns to get us under. Change is a war strategy. It is " the deliberate act of altering specific combat methods or approaches during a conflict to adapt to changing circumstances on the battlefield, often to gain an advantage over the enemy by exploiting their weaknesses or responding to unexpected developments". That's why you must learn how to shoot forward and backwards.

    In today's read, there's a new friend on the horizon. It's Berodach-Baladan, the son of the King of Babylon. Pause. That's the heir apparent. He's not really  Hezekiah's friend. It's an open edge. V.13 is the most tragic read of all times. Isaiah announced the end of that friendship in the prophecy of v.17.  John Heys says, " A truth we ought never to forget is that Satan will change his tactics, and even reverse them, if it serves his devilish purpose of seeking to destroy the church of Christ". That's the word for today. Dont get taken in. The devil is still the devil even if it's wearing a white dress. The word is enough for the wise. Good morning.

Hezekiah Recovers From A Boil

Hezekiah Recovers From A Boil

II Kings 20:7 NKJV

[7] Then Isaiah said, “Take a lump of figs.” So they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered.

We carefully skipped this verse yesterday because we needed to explain how heaven responded to Hezekiah's prayers. Beyond the prophetic pronouncement by Isaiah, the healing actually occurred. Today we are confronted with whether it's okay to take treatment for your healing in the new testament as was demonstrated here in the old. 

    Here's a report from a group. If anyone "..is sick of fever, or suffers from headache, constipation or any other form of ailment, all they do is to pray. They do not apply any kind of medicine because they believe that it is a sin to do so". They believe that faith and prayer are the only thing needed in the life of a Christian. Here the Prophet said they should lay a lump of figs on the boil.

      Here's the position of Health and Faith 102. " There are some Christians who believe that seeking medical help shows a lack of faith in God. Some Christians wrongly think they should throw away their medicines and only pray for healing.When we think about how we behave in other areas of our lives, we see that this is not a logical view". Here's a panoramic view in the Bible of people who used treatment. " These include applying:bandages (Isaiah 1:6) oil (James 5:14) oil and wine (Luke 10:34)  leaves (Ezekiel 47:12)  balm (Jeremiah 8:22).   We know that Luke, the author of Acts and the gospel of Luke, was a doctor (Colossians 4:14). And Paul once gave Timothy advice on medical treatment (1 Timothy 5:23). Doctors are referred to about 12 times in the Bible". The beauty of the verse is that Hezekiah recovered. Before we do any further damage, please, take treatment, recover. Let God do the healing. Good morning.

The Write From The Courts Of Heaven

The Writ From The Courts Of Heaven 

II Kings 20:6, 8-11 NKJV

[6] And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake, and for the sake of My servant David.” ..[8] And Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “What is the sign that the Lord will heal me, and that I shall go up to the house of the Lord the third day?” [9] Then Isaiah said, “This is the sign to you from the Lord, that the Lord will do the thing which He has spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees or go backward ten degrees?” [10] And Hezekiah answered, “It is an easy thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; no, but let the shadow go backward ten degrees.” [11] So Isaiah the prophet cried out to the Lord, and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz. 

In January, 2023, Leon du Preez explained  a concept that was popularised by Robert Henderson. Its the concept of the Courts of Heaven. This is Preez, " Most believers know we can pray to God as our Father and Friend. Most do not know that we can appeal to God as a Judge. Just as we have judges presiding over earthly judicial systems, God is the Judge in the Court of Heaven". 

   Henderson had explained in his books that he had known for a long time that he could pray to God as Father and as his Friend; however, he had missed the fact that he could also appeal to God as the Judge. Did Hezekiah tap into a New Testament secret by asking for a sign? We have heard messages that said it was tempting God because " An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign. And there shall be no sign given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah"( Mat.12:38 ). For Hezekiah, it wasn't time to argue theology. It was to get real answers. 

   In Luke 18, Jesus puts prayer in a judicial system. That parable was not to show God as an unjust Judge. It was to show that we can get our verdict from the Judge of all the earth. So Hezekiah asked for the writ of release. A writ is form of written command in the name of a court or other legal authority to act, or abstain from acting, in a particular way. I needed to let you know, there's a writ for your release. It wasn't just for Hezekiah. There's a sign of the cross that your case is over. That is from the Courts of Heaven. And God is the righteous Judge. Good morning.

Divine Plan Activated

Divine Plan Activated 

II Kings 19:35-37 NKJV

[35] And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead. [36] So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. [37] Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the temple of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place.

God isnt a folk hero.  There are moments like our read today that you would wish folk heroes were made of stuff like this. Folk heroes were people who were greatly admired for their achievements by ordinary people. In today's read, there's a manifestation of divine plans according to eternal decrees. Ephesians explains it as " working out everything in confirmity with the purpose of His will ". ( Eph.1:11 ). Isaiah describes that in the following words, " My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please ".( Isa.46:10 ). Job had acknowledged it that God can do all things, and no purpose of his can be thwarted ( Job 42:2 ). Even when evil comes, God weaves it out into the plot.( Prov.16:4 ). 

   So in this read God sent an angel of war that went out and killed one hundred and eighty five thousand men in a single night. Don't ask me who the angel was. Here's v.36 again. " So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh". You see that situation that you have been struggling with? God knows what to do in a single night.  Yes He knows.

   The story is not over in v.36. Remember that God said He will put a hook in his nostril and drag him out of Judah. Well, read v.37.  Sennacherib went to worship and his sons conspired and killed him. His god, Nisroch couldn't save him. Guzik says, " Perhaps Sennacherib thought he had escaped the judgment of God, but he hadn’t. He met the bitter end of death at the end of swords held by his own sons".  Adam Clarke reports of a Jewish legend that seem to explain what happened. " The rabbins say that his sons had learned that he intended to sacrifice them to his god, and that they could only prevent this by slaying him". Your enemy will hear a rumor when divine plans are activated. Good morning.

There's A Remnant

There's A Remnant 

II Kings 19:30-31 NKJV

[30] And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah Shall again take root downward, And bear fruit upward. [31] For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, And those who escape from Mount Zion. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.’

The Remnant is a concept used in both the Old testament and the New testament to refer to " a person or persons who fulfill the Lord’s Purpose for the Whole when the Whole either cannot or will not fulfill it. ( Chip Brogden). Someone else describes it as a " group of believers who remain faithful to the core teachings and practices of the faith, even in times of widespread apostasy or moral decline". During a time when violence and sin filled the earth, there is one man called Noah, who alone is righteous and pleasing to God. He was a remnant. So when God  judged mankind with the flood, He  does not make a full end. God spared Noah and his family and makes a new beginning with them.

     So God says, there will be a remnant from the house of Judah and Jerusalem. Guzik explains that  it means, " As much as the Assyrians would like to crush Jerusalem and Judah, they would not be able to. God would preserve His remnant". Wiseman adds that, The doctrine of the remnant (vv. 4, 30) left by God’s grace through times of trial was demonstrated by Isaiah, whose son was named Shear-Jashub, ‘remnant will return’ (Isa 7:3; Isa 37:30-32). Israelites fled to Judah so that in one sense Judah also included the remnant of Israel to carry on God’s name and work.” Sometimes the enemy thinks it's got you, but God is not yet through with you. God will spring a revival with the remnants. 

    What God is doing is that the remnant will take their root downwards and begin to bear fruit upwards. That means, " The remnant shall yet again be planted in their own habitations and shall take root there and grow rich. That soul is indeed prosperous who takes root downward by faith in Christ, and then becomes fruitful upward in righteousness". A few years ago, this word was for Judah and Israel. Today, its yours. Take root downward. There's a time of celebration very soon in a great harvest. Good morning.

God's Answers To Leadership

God's Answers To Leadership 

II Kings 19:28-31 NKJV

[28] Because your rage against Me and your tumult Have come up to My ears, Therefore I will put My hook in your nose And My bridle in your lips, And I will turn you back By the way which you came. [29] ‘This shall be a sign to you: You shall eat this year such as grows of itself, And in the second year what springs from the same; Also in the third year sow and reap, Plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. [30] And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah Shall again take root downward, And bear fruit upward. [31] For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant, And those who escape from Mount Zion. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.’

When a leader prays, most essentially , it is to  seek divine guidance, wisdom, and strength from God, to navigate the challenges and responsibilities of leadership roles. This may involve asking for the ability to make good decisions, serve others with compassion, and remain humble in the face of authority. At crucial times like this, it is for God to intervene in problems beyond leadership capacity. The act of prayer seeks to align our leadership actions with  God's purpose and to seek divine direction in the leadership pursuit. In this matter, Hezekiah knew God was interested in Judah. John Warden explains this complexity of being prayerful as a leader. "It is not how smart, well intentioned or knowledgeable we are because our competence, skills and talents are simply not enough for the task of leading others...That role is just too big for us to handle without continual prayer. Like Paul, we need to seek God with urgency and intentionality. Today's vignette is an answer to that intentionality. 

    So God answered King Hezekiah. Isaiah prophesied Sennacherib's fall. Guzik says, " God knew how to find the Assyrians. And because Assyria went too far in blaspheming the One who made all their success possible". The dramatic way God says He will take them out is the very way Assyrians used in relocating captives. Then in  vv. 29-31, God says he will prosper Judah as they win. God is not yet done with you. The enemy will not appear to win forever. God knows how to fight for you. There's an answer coming.And its now.  Good morning.

Hezekiah's Burden In Prayers

Hezekiah's Burden In Prayers 

II Kings 19:15-19 NKJV

[15] Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: “O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. [16] Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. [17] Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, [18] and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. [19] Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.” Lord

The prayers sre few verses in summary, but must have taken hours to pray. Until you listen to it in the spirit, you may miss the burden, the pain, and the nuances of this intercession. This was a real difficult prayer. It draws on the spirit and the soul. Its not that you're looking for fine language to impress the throne. Its a desperation not to be undressed.

   When you have nothing else to hold unto but God, you will understand why you could enter the prayer room and come out five hours later. If anyone ever asks you what you prayed sbout for so long, you'll have a few verses too. You can't summarize the cry of a child before the father. Nothing else matters at such moments until the pain is lifted. We've had to cry desperate prayers of this nature and God moved. All our prayers need to beike this.

    Hezekiah began by acknowledging that God is in charge. He lays a foundation for what he's about to say. He knows that God can hear a whisper, but he told God in human terms to pay attention to his needs.

Patterson and Austel describe what he was doing in these words. “As a child bringing his broken toy to his father for repair, so Hezekiah laid the issues in God’s sight for resolution.” Notice that he was satisfied, in the first letter, for the prophet to pray, but in the second letter, he went to the temple by himself. Its okay for others to intercede, but God's  interested in your prayers too.

   Hezekiah acknowledged that the King of Assyria defeated other nations including Israel because their gods were no God. Then he invited God for a showdown. Feel the invitation. Is this how deep your prayers are? If you were God, and you were busy, Hezekiah's prayers will turn your attention. How was your last cry for help? Jesus prayed a similar prayer so much that his sweat became like blood. Some medical folks said the burden was so heavy, the cappilaries began to burst into sweats. Maybe we need to burst a few cappilleries  just to breathe an air of freedom. Maybe! You can do that, cant you? Good morning.

Our God Answers Prayers

Our God Answers Prayers.

II Kings 19:8-10 NKJV

[8] Then the Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he heard that he had departed from Lachish. [9] And the king heard concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, “Look, he has come out to make war with you.” So he again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, [10] “Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, “Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” 

There's nothing more exciting as when God speaks, theres an immediate answer. when we pray, Isaiah 65:24 says, "Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear". That is a declaration that God can respond and will do it quickly, sometimes even before the prayer is fully spoken. Life is not lived by boasting. It is lived under God's covering.

    When Jesus prayed concerning Lazarus, there was an immediate answer. When there isnt an apparent immediate answers to prayers, it means God has alternate plans. Sometimes the answer is asking you to wait for the right moment. Sometimes, the answer is, I'm arranging a change of plans. In this case God rearranged who was meant to attack who.  Sometimes the best answer is just 'No'. Wisdom is in knowing the difference.

    Prayer is God's ability in us to influence the heavens to our favour. You know, God wont do anything until someone on earth asks him. The reason is simple: God gave the authority on earth to man. Prayer is our invitation for God to interfere in affairs of the earth.  Read the details of what God did in this instance. The Rabshakeh's threat had no meaning. 

   In v.14, when Hezekiah received the letter of Rabshakeh, he went back to God in prayers. " ...and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord". What an ingenious man. He brought the letter for God to read, as if God didn't know the contents already. Do me a favour, bring your cases like this to the very presence of God. Hezekiah was a new testament man in his thinking. Here it is: " 1Pet. 5:7 : casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you". God does.  Prayer is God's way of taking the burden off us, because He cares for us. Don't tell your stories  to anyone anymore. Just go into the closet with God. The answer is coming faster than you imagined. Good morning.

The Spiritual Atmosphere To Prophesy

The Spiritual Atmosphere To Prophesy 

II Kings 19:5-7 NKJV

[5] So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. [6] And Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. [7] Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.” 

Today, if Ai was a student, we probably would have scored it high. It describes, " The atmosphere for prophecy" 

as " a spiritual environment where individuals are receptive to hearing God's voice through prophetic messages, characterized by deep faith, expectancy, openness to the Holy Spirit, and a sense of reverence, allowing for the accurate discernment and delivery of prophetic words; essentially, a space where people are actively seeking God's guidance and revelation". In such atmosphere, " hearts are mended and futures are rewritten by the hand of God", and God assures His people of His continuous covering. To get into such atmosphere,  theologians would talk about worship, humility and receptivity. 

   There are ,however, moments we cant wait for these protocols. This would  be desperate moments. So Isaiah did not wait for the choir. He blurted out in the prophetic because the pain of the King and the people was much. This is like a sudden change of climate. Norma Gray says that this atmosphere is created by a combination of the spirit, the words and the energy of the moment. God had to answer the people.

   The phrase, " do not be afraid", appears about 365 times in the Bible. Its like taking a capsule each day for a year. God took the blasphemy of Assyria personally. So God was going to deal with Assyria using the strategy of rumour. The power of rumour in warfare lies in its stealth. Someone says that rumour can " circulate under radar, making it difficult to trace its origins or debunk them as fabrications". In 1940, French forces suffered defeat through  unfounded tales of casualties and impending doom by agents of Hitler. Rumour is a war strategy. Four lepers went to the camp of the Phillistines, and they heard a rumour. May your enemies hear a rumour. 

    God was going to give Assyria what they brought to Judah. God will give your enemy what they planned for you. The atmosphere is changing. God's on your side. That enemy will die by its rumour. I'm waiting for your testimonies. Good morning.

Hezekiah's Response

Hezekiah's Response 

II Kings 19:1-4 NKJV

[1] And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord. [2] Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz. [3] And they said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah: ‘This day is a day of trouble, and rebuke, and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to bring them forth. [4] It may be that the Lord your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the Lord your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’ ”

In communication, there has to be a response. Its called feedbacks. It is 

 " the response given by the receiver of a message, which indicates whether they understood the message and allows the sender to know if their communication was effective; it can be verbal, nonverbal cues like body language, or a more direct response with thoughts or reactions to what was said".  "When feedback is withheld, it means that someone is choosing not to provide constructive criticism or positive reinforcement about someone else's performance, behavior, or work, essentially preventing them from learning and improving, potentially leading to stagnation and missed opportunities for growth". That is what Judah did to the Rabshakeh. They chosed instead to talk to God 

     Read v.1 again. Hezekiah went to talk to a higher authority, God. David Guzik is very ardent over what  Hezekiah did. " Hezekiah’s initial reaction was good. He saw the situation for what it really was. Often, when we are in some kind of trial or difficulty, we handle it poorly because we never see the situation accurately. Jerusalem’s situation was desperate and Hezekiah knew it". How would you have handled this situation? That's what makes the difference between winners and loosers under God. It is not lack of power by God. You must acknowledge God first. You must have faith that He alone has the final answer. This may be very difficult for very active people, but it must be done.

   The next thing Hezekiah did was to make an appeal to the Prophet Isaiah for intercession. Notice his colorful language: that children have come to birth, but there's no strength to push forth. May our God who rules over life affairs send you strength from now and forever. You will push forth anything, any project, any vision under God. Good morning.

When Silence Is Golden

When Silence Is Golden 

II Kings 18:35-37 NKJV

[35] Who among all the gods of the lands have delivered their countries from my hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem from my hand?’ ” [36] But the people held their peace and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.” [37] Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder, came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and told him the words of the Rabshakeh.

Its difficult to ascertain where the proverb that speech is silver, and silence is golden began. There's a Bible verse, however, that says, " In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin, but he that refraineth his lips is wise." (Proverbs, 10:19). It carries the same connotation. Today's read must have been a clear demonstration of this wisdom. You don't have to speak every time to show your opinions. There's a time to be silent.

   My Ai explains that the phrase " means that staying quiet or not speaking is often the best course of action, implying that silence is more valuable than speech in certain situations, usually when it comes to avoiding conflict, preserving secrets, or allowing for thoughtful reflection". Apostle Peter should have attended this school. He didn't. Well, the officers of King Hezekiah demonstrated a high level of emotional intelligence in this matter. They waited unti they got to their King. V.36. Then they tore their clothes. This was a Jewish practice of expressing grief or other  kinds of emotions.

   The real deal is ro know when silence is golden and speech is silver. The answer is in Prov. 26:4-5 when you're engaged with a 'fool'. There's a time to speak so that the fool may not appear too wise in his conciet, but not when you are trying to win a warfare. Well, they came to the King. Now they could express themselves. No matter what happens to you, dont cry for the devil. If you must cry, go into prayer, return to the King, and cry to God. Good morning.

The devil is never satisfied

The Devil Is Never Satisfied 

II Kings 18:17-20 NKJV

[17] Then the king of Assyria sent the Tartan, the Rabsaris, and the Rabshakeh from Lachish, with a great army against Jerusalem, to King Hezekiah. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. When they had come up, they went and stood by the aqueduct from the upper pool, which was on the highway to the Fuller’s Field. [18] And when they had called to the king, Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph, the recorder, came out to them.

[19] Then the Rabshakeh said to them, “Say now to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: “What confidence is this in which you trust? 

[20] You speak of having plans and power for war; but they are mere words. And in whom do you trust, that you rebel against me? 

The devil is never satisfied. Its major focus of attack is your confidence. Miriam Webster describes confidence as, " a feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances". It goes on to say that confidence  is " faith or belief that one will act in a right, proper, or effective way". Attacking one's confidence is a war strategy. King Sennacherib of Assyria sent Rab-shakeh, a field commander with  tauntings to King Hezekiah and Judah. Judah had 

rebelled from the control of Assyria. The first point of attack to reduce Judah was their confidence. 

    He asks them on whom they trusted. Who you trust is very important to how you win. Unfortunately, Rab-shakeh, had mistaken Hezekiah's revival for a crushing oppression on the people of Judah. Angela Parlin says, " We have confidence before God because of our relationship with Jesus Christ. That confidence comes from Christ’s work for us–His sacrifice which covers us once and for all–and grows because of His work in us". I love the New Tastement. Hezekiah couldn't say that, but he had faith in the deliverance of Jehovah. The focus is : Who do you trust because the devil  is never satisfied with apologetics. If your strategy comes from God and His word, you'll be sure of victory. If you beg the devil, it will be back. You can take that to the bank. Today, do what Judah did. Pull down all contrary dependence and altars and put faith in His word. You're coming out. Good morning.