Rescue in the Land
One Year Bible (Aug. 2)
2 Chronicles 31:1-33:13
RESCUE in the LAND
Revival in the Land comes when people come under deep conviction and are crying out in confession, repentance, and unity to God. When we meet God through brokenness, humility, and a holy hunger to seek ALL of His ways, GOD MEETS US!
This is exactly what happened with Hezekiah and the nation of Israel. Perhaps, God’s glory filled the place and the people could not get enough of it! They extended their celebration for another week to worship, repent, and be in the presence of God like in the days of old with David and Solomon.
How did Hezekiah go from a time of GREAT RESPECT to a time of GREAT Ridicule?
Listen to the beginning of today’s passage, “After Hezekiah had FAITHFULLY carried out his work…” (32:1) King Sennacherib of Assyria is now ready to invade Judah!
What did King Hezekiah do WRONG?
Have you ever done everything in your power to serve God and draw near to HIM and then received a Whopper of an ATTACK?
Listen to this quote, “If God were not my friend, Satan would not be so much my enemy.” (Thomas Brooks)
The enemy really doesn’t care if you say, “I believe in God”. He only cares if you intend to do something about your belief!
Today, “The rubber will hit the road!”, so to speak…
Perhaps that is because “Crises Reveals Character”.
Will the TANGIBLE PRESENCE OF GOD be felt and seen in TANGIBLE WAYS in the PRESENCE of GOD'S PEOPLE?
Assyria and beyond will be watching. All eyes are fixed on Hezekiah. Will this be a “LASTING Revival” that permeates society or a TWO WEEK CELEBRATION?
The Assyrians are ridiculing Hezekiah in the street. What does he tell the people to do?
“Be Strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! They may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to fight our battles for us! (32:7-8)
What did they do while the enemy taunted Hezekiah?
They “Waited on the Walls”!
What did they do when the enemy taunted God?
They “Waited on the Walls”!
What did they do when the enemy came to surround them?
They “Waited on the Walls”!
What was “Their Wall of Waiting”?
“They cried out in PRAYER to their God in heaven.
Notice that Hezekiah did a really strange thing when challenged by the enemy.
He and his advisors “decided to stop the flow of the springs outside the city”. (32:2)
Does this seem strange to you? Well, they ran the water underground so that the enemy could not just “Wait Them Out” and cut them off from their water supply.
The people all were led in one direction They acted quickly in one accord. They were silent against their accusers and attackers and instead depended on the LORD. These are signs of REVIVAL.
The angel of the Lord not only “took out the enemy” it tells us that “Hezekiah became highly respected among all the surrounding nations”. (32:23)
REVIVAL in the LAND brings RESCUE to the LAND… and both begin with PRAYER!
