July 17 – Reading 198

July 17 – Reading 198

by Marcia Rainey | July 17

“FAITH AGAINST ALL ODDS”
(2 Kings 18:13-19:37; 2 Chronicles 32:1-23; Isaiah 36:1-37:38)

O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth… So now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord. – Isaiah 37:16, 20

Each morning as the 6th-grade homeroom teacher at a Christian school, I led my students in Scripture, a short devotional, and prayer. One particular year, a boy in my class raised his hand every single morning with the same earnest request: “I want a dog.” Day after day, he asked us to pray. His birthday came—no dog. Christmas? No dog. Valentine’s Day? Still no dog. Near the end of the year, he entered the classroom shouting, “I got a dog!” The entire class erupted in cheers. His persistence was an adorable example of childlike faith.

That same kind of faith shows up in our Scripture reading today. Surrounded by the Assyrian army, King Hezekiah had every reason to panic. The enemy mocked his God, ridiculed his hope, and sent him a terrifying letter declaring Jerusalem’s doom.

But instead of panicking or surrendering, Hezekiah did something deeply courageous: he walked into the temple, spread the letter before God, and prayed. Like a child running into a parent’s arms with tears and trust, Hezekiah laid the problem in God’s hands, believing with childlike faith: “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth… So now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord” (Isaiah 37:16, 20 ESV). His faith was not naïve; it was courageous faith against all odds–a faith shaped by years of walking with the Lord. His city was surrounded, his people terrified, and his resources nearly gone. The threat was real, but King Hezekiah had confidence that though severely outmatched, he would never be outnumbered with God. 

The prophet Isaiah, who had pronounced judgment on all the neighboring nations, now delivered to King Hezekiah a radically different word: “Because you have prayed to me concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria…he shall not come into this city” (Isaiah 37:21, 33). That very night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. God fought against the Assyrians so that Jerusalem was spared against all odds.

What changed everything? Not a military strategy. Not human power. Prayer. Faith. The one true living God. The Lord God Almighty. A cry from a desperate heart that dared to believe God would hear—and He did. 

What if he had not prayed?

Simple Truth:
You may be severely outmatched, but you are never outnumbered with God. 

Reflections: 

1. How do I typically respond in times of crisis or when surrounded by fear or pressure? What or to whom do you turn for help?

    

2. What “letters” or threats in my life need to be laid before God in prayer?

    

3. What keeps me from approaching God with childlike faith and bold confidence?

    

Application: 

• Lay it out: Take a situation causing fear or anxiety and lay it before God in prayer as Hezekiah did. Do so with childlike faith, “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). God still fights for His people!
• Celebrate answers: Like the boy with his new puppy, when God answers a prayer—big or small—tell someone, give thanks, and glorify God. Your story can build someone else’s faith.

Closing Prayer…
O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You created the heavens and the earth—by Your power and wisdom all things hold together. Today, as nations rage and leaders boast, we come like Hezekiah did: with surrender. We spread before You the burdens of our world—the violence, the pride, the suffering, the fear. Lord, we ask You to act—not for our glory, but Yours so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone are the Lord. Reign over rulers. Overthrow evil. And let Your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus’ name, Amen.