Don’t Run From God, Run To Him By Babatunde Olugboji
In 2 Kings 18 and 19, we saw how Hezekiah handled threats against him and his regime. At this time, Judah’s entire fortress had been captured and Jerusalem stood like an island in the midst of Assyrian forces, surrounded and besieged. Assyria’s king sent his general to Hezekiah to speak at the gates of the city and made a deadly proposal: surrender! In his earlier years, Hezekiah had favored an alliance with Egypt, in spite of Prophet Isaiah’s continual warnings that God alone was the source of Judah’s protection. And in the extremity of this situation, Hezekiah turned to Isaiah.
And the Lord spoke through his prophet (2 Kings 19: 6-7) concerning Sennacherib, King of Assyria:
- Do not be afraid of the words which you [Hezekiah] have heard.
- Surely, I will send a spirit upon him.
- He shall hear a certain report.
- He would return to his own land.
- God will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
When Hezekiah received this letter, he knew that he had a big problem. But he also knew he had a big God. A problem solving God.
Let’s consider the details of Hezekiah’s 3-fold response:
- He Showed His Report to God: He brought the letter of the King of Assyria before the Lord and spread it out to him, observing that the insult was to the living God far more than it was to Hezekiah himself. This was God’s insult that demanded God’s response. Did you notice where he opened the letter? In God’s temple. It was significant that Hezekiah spread out the enemy’s message before the Lord, and the underlying principle here is that answers can be found in Christ and in the house of God. Don’t run from God, run to him.
- He Shifted His Response to God: Hezekiah brought God’s problem to God, rather than trying to solve it himself. This is not an excuse to do nothing. Hezekiah got his army prepared as best as he could, but now was the time to look to the Lord. (See 1 Samuel 17:47; 2 Chronicles 20:14-15; Zechariah 4:6)
Remember how Elisha assured his servant at the siege of Dothan, where they were surrounded by the horses and chariots of fire of the Lord’s army? “Don’t be afraid… Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16). “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).
- He Shared his Request with God: Hezekiah demonstrated the importance of running to God, not running away from Him, of embracing Him, looking up to Him. In situations of adversity, God won’t say I can’t help you; He says, I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19).
Call unto Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know (Jeremiah 33:3). It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. (2 Sam 22:33)
The basis of Hezekiah’s appeal was that God should be recognized by the nations as the only true God. As you go about your business this week, God will fight for you.
Have a great week.
Kingdom Dynamics, a weekly column is written by Dr. Babatunde Olugboji, the President, Kingdom House, a non-profit organization in New Jersey, USA.
