Hezekiah Part 2: The Chronicles of Judah
Have you ever noticed how your phone’s photo rotation feature can feel like a time machine? Every time I unlock mine, I'm greeted with a different snapshot—a cherished memory with my family, a laugh shared with friends, or a breathtaking moment on vacation. Each photo isn’t just a captured moment but a story, reminding me that life is made up of millions of these moments—some small and seemingly insignificant, others monumental.
But here's the thing: moments aren't just memories—they're catalysts of momentum. They can shift the trajectory of our lives, for better or worse. And that’s what I want to explore today as we look at the life of King Hezekiah.
Momentum Begins with a Moment
Hezekiah's life was filled with pivotal moments. Early on, he made bold decisions that turned the entire nation of Judah back to God. In one decisive moment, he tore down idols and reopened the temple, sparking a revival among God’s people. This was a season where momentum was moving in the right direction—God’s people were returning to Him.
But then, as often happens, when things seemed to be going well, life threw a curveball. King Sennacherib of Assyria, infamous for his brutality, laid siege to Judah. Hezekiah found himself staring down an impossible enemy.
Fear Knocking at the Door
Sennacherib’s invasion wasn't just a military threat—it was psychological warfare. He taunted Hezekiah, ridiculing his faith, and mocking the God of Israel. The enemy's tactic was clear: strike fear into the hearts of God's people.
Let’s be real—fear can paralyze us. It doesn’t always come as a visible enemy outside our walls. Sometimes, it shows up in the whisper of doubt, the weight of anxiety, or the exhaustion of uncertainty. Fear doesn’t have to strike us with a sword; it just needs to plant a seed of doubt in our hearts.
But where there’s an obstacle of fear, there’s an opportunity for faith.
Hezekiah’s Response: Faith in the Face of Fear
Instead of surrendering, Hezekiah took a different route. He laid out his fears before God. He spread Sennacherib's threatening letter in the temple and prayed:
"Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth... Deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, Lord, are God." (2 Kings 19:14-19)
In that act, Hezekiah chose faith over fear. And God responded. In one miraculous night, the angel of the Lord wiped out 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. Sennacherib fled, and God’s people were delivered.
God’s power broke through the impossible.
But the story doesn’t end there. Hezekiah faced another defining moment. This time, it wasn’t an enemy from without, but one from within—his own pride.
The Danger of Pride: When Momentum Falters
In a surprising turn, Hezekiah, after experiencing God’s miraculous deliverance, found himself basking in his own glory. When visitors from Babylon came to see him, he boasted about his treasures, his achievements, and all the wealth he had accumulated. In a moment of pride, he took the credit for everything God had done.
What a missed opportunity! Instead of pointing these curious visitors to the One True God, who had delivered Judah and healed him, Hezekiah made it all about himself. And that moment of pride had devastating consequences. Isaiah warned that because of Hezekiah’s arrogance, future generations would suffer. His sons would be taken as captives, stripped of their heritage, and made eunuchs in a foreign land.
Pride always paves pathways of pain.
The Divine Moment We All Face
The story of Hezekiah is a powerful reminder that every moment matters. Sometimes, the greatest threats aren’t the ones we face on the outside but the battles within our own hearts—fear, doubt, and pride.
Jesus, the King of Kings, came to deal with these very battles. He wasn’t interested in overthrowing political empires or making a name for Himself. Instead, His mission was clear: to sit on the throne of our hearts and transform us from the inside out.
He doesn’t want to compete with our fears, our ambitions, or our pride. He wants to overthrow whatever is sitting on His throne in our lives and replace it with His peace, His love, and His eternal purpose.
A Moment to Choose Faith Over Fear
I believe we are living in a divine moment right now—a moment where we are invited to take stock of what really matters. Just like Hezekiah, we are faced with choices that will either lead us toward God’s Kingdom or away from it.
The question is, how will you respond?
Are you gripped by fear, feeling overwhelmed by impossible situations in your life?
Is pride standing in the way of you giving God the glory He deserves?
Do you need to lay something before God today and ask for His help?
There’s no better time than now to surrender. Let’s turn our moments into momentum—not for our own glory, but for His.
Today, we are offering a moment of healing prayer. Whether it’s for a financial crisis, a broken relationship, or an impossible situation you’re facing—come, lay it before God. Just like Hezekiah did, spread your burdens out before the Lord and trust that He will fight your battles.
Because at the end of the day, Jesus is still the King of Kings, and He’s inviting you to be part of His Kingdom that will never fail.
So take this moment. Let it be the beginning of new momentum in your life—momentum that leads not just to temporary victories, but to eternal life in Him.
Blog adapted from November 10, 2024, message by Minister Alex Ehly