Reassurance is something we all need, both as children and adults. There are times when the waves of life roll over us, and we need the firm grip of the Lord holding on to us, giving reassurance. Perhaps the waves of life seem to be hammering you, and the Lord wants to tell you that He is with you.
I find these words to be reassuring and comforting to me in times of trouble. Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. [1]
When we are afraid, knowing the Lord is with us is significant. The Lord knows that fear can cause discouragement. But Isaiah reminds us that we can depend on God’s strength. In Him, we have victory amid our fears and failures.
The King of Assyria Attacked Hezekiah with Words
When the Assyrians threatened to conquer Jerusalem, Hezekiah sent trusted advisors to the prophet Isaiah with his concerns. Isaiah responded to Hezekiah, telling him not to worry about the Assyrians because the Lord would handle this threat. The King of Assyria would return to his country and be put to death.
At this point, I believe Hezekiah felt reassured by the Lord, but then his enemy countered by another attack. He sent a letter designed to put doubt in Hezekiah’s mind. 2 Kings 19:10 “This message is for King Hezekiah of Judah. Don’t let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you with promises that Jerusalem will not be captured by the king of Assyria. 11 You know perfectly well what the kings of Assyria have done wherever they have gone. [2]
Isn’t doubting God’s word the same strategy satan also uses on us? If our enemy can get us to distrust God’s promises, it will weaken our hope and faith in Him. We must realize we are in a spiritual battle, and the enemy likes to batter us not once but several times to tear us down. The good news is when another attack comes, we can return to the Lord for help during times of trouble.
God Gave Hezekiah Words of Assurance
After receiving further word threats from the King of Assyria, Hezekiah modeled what we should do as he looked up to the Lord in prayer. 2 Kings 19:19 Now, O Lord our God, rescue us from his power; then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you alone, O Lord, are God.”[3]
When another enemy attack hits us, it is easy to look down and be discouraged, but God calls us to be persistent amid our battles. 2 Kings 19:32 “And this is what the Lord says about the king of Assyria: “His armies will not enter Jerusalem. They will not even shoot an arrow at it. They will not march outside its gates with their shields nor build banks of earth against its walls. [4] With further reassurance, Hezekiah trusted the Lord. If you are in a battle today, there is nothing wrong with returning to the Lord and His Word for comfort and reassurance.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/hezekiah-assyrians
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.