Refuge and Strength

Ps. 46:1

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."

How powerful these words are in any situation, but when Judah was besieged by the Assyrians ( II Kings 18-19), these words took on a whole new life. Sennacherib's men were mocking the people and  God saying it was impossible for Hezekiah or God to protect them. Realistically, the brutal reputation of the Assyrians supported what they were saying. But Hezekiah did not take matters into his own hands or act out of fear, he went straight to the Lord, fell on his face, and poured out his heart. What did he say? Ps. 46 reveals his heart.

• He would not fear though a huge disaster was looming. v. 1
• He knew God was in the midst of Jerusalem and because of that she could not be moved. v. 5
• He knew God would help in the morning, and that He was their fortress. v. 5,7
• God did answer. He made the war cease without Judah throwing one spear. He broke their bows, shattered their spears, and burned their chariots. The angel of the Lord brought desolation for the Assyrians killing 185,000 of them. In the morning they all were dead. Sennacherib went home and when he was worshipping his false god, his sons killed him. How powerful were Sennacherib's threats now? v. 8-9
• Hezekiah needed to be still before God and see Him work. God needed nothing from Hezekiah but a quiet, waiting spirit. v. 10
• God was exalted among the nations and in the earth. v. 10
• The God of Jacob was their fortress.v.11

What a great victory that day! How important was it for Hezekiah to be waiting before the Lord and not out fighting the Lord's battles in his own strength! What a lesson!

Father,

Keep me ever on my face before You, waiting and believing. Root out my penchant for action and transform it into stillness. I know You will be exalted. You are God!

In Jesus name,

Amen