Hezekiah’s prayer

2 Kings 19:29~37 That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies! (35)

♬ Hymn for scheduled worship: Korean/English Hymnal #267 ’Tis the Promise of God (#201 in previous version)

Despite the fact that King Hezekiah was a follower of the Word of God, he still faced many hardships. The armies of the mighty nation of Assyria invaded and harassed the Israelites. However, King Hezekiah went before God in prayer and overcame the 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. What was the method that King Hezekiah employed to triumph over Assyria? And what was the mystery that King Hezekiah enjoyed in the midst of suffering and hardship?

1. He knew the reason for the problems
King Hezekiah was honest in all his dealings before God.2 Kings 18:3 As soon as he became king, he stopped paying the tribute that his father, King Ahaz, had paid to the Assyrians. He also got rid of all of the pagan temples that had been brought in from Assyria. He did this because he did not fear the power of Assyria and instead, trusted in the power of God. King Hezekiah saw beyond the things that were happening before his eyes; he knew the reason and the plan that was hidden within the immediate reality. When problems came, he looked to God, held onto the covenant and prayed, and for this reason, he was not fearful of Assyria.

2. He knew the method of enjoying the power of God
When the Assyrian soldiers invaded, King Hezekiah was taken aback and tried many policies to circumvent the crisis. However, after realizing the plan of God hidden within the Assyrian invasion, he stood boldly before God in faith. When he entrusted everything to God and prayed, God sent Isaiah to proclaim the will of God. Then, that night, the angel of God appeared and put to death the 185,000 Assyrian soldiers.

3. He gave himself to God and gained strength
Time passed and King Hezekiah fell ill to a deadly disease, but even then, he looked to God and prayed. God sent the prophet Isaiah to Hezekiah and blessed him. Hezekiah knew the prayer to enjoy when he was alone, the prayer of being with God in all fields, and the answers and blessings that come through the Word. That is why he stood solely before God and experienced the power of God.

Forum Topic
The name Hezekiah means, ‘The Lord is mighty!’ Look to God alone instead of looking to the world and other people and deeply meditate upon the power of the Lord. Especially, read through today’s Scripture reading and deeply meditate on it. Then, pray for the power of God to come upon you.
Immanuel Church Sunday Worship 1st Service / 2013.2.3