July 21 - 2 Kings 19:1-19 | Isaiah 37:1-20 | 2 Chronicles 32:9-19 | 2 Kings 19:20-37 | Isaiah 37:21-38 | 2 Chronicles 32:20-23

Good morning everyone,

Well, today was a lot of book jumping with it all saying pretty much the same thing. You know when God says something once, we really should be listening, however when he says something two or three times, I’m thinking we should not only be listening but be paying very close attention. Yes?

It has been said that, “You can be sure a revival from heaven will bring a reaction from hell.” Seriously, the enemy does not want you to move forward in the Lord. His thinking is, it is okay for you to become a Christian as long as you don’t go crazy and tell anyone or speak about it; it is okay for you to buy a Bible as long as it sits on the shelf and collects dust; it is okay for you to go to church if you are just going to forget what was taught or better yet fall asleep during the teaching, however ….. however, the minute you begin to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit, the very second you start to challenge the territory the enemy has set up inside your soul you will be opening yourself up for attack, you will essentially be putting a big ole bullseye target on your back and the the enemy will relentlessly shoot his fiery arrows at it, at you, in hopes of stumbling you or better yet getting you to quit that crazy Christian thinking. I would encourage you to not be afraid because, 1 John 4:4, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

When Hezekiah became king he cleaned up the nation, ridding it of idols and their worship, the devil was not pleased with this and so he took aim at the bullseye Hezekiah  hung and an attack was launched against Judah by means of Sennacherib, king of Assyria. Rabshakeh went to Judah with propaganda against Hezekiah and God. When intimidating the people did not work, he sent a threatening letter directly to Hezekiah. Did Hezekiah tremble in fear or go into a panic? No, indeed he did not. What the good king did was lay the letter out before God, he unrolled the scroll and asked his Abba to handle it.  I love that, he didn’t take it personally, he took it as an insult to God. He told Yahweh, “Look at what they have written about you.” he prayed “O Lord of hosts, God of Israel” recognizing that He is the Lord of all and remembering the covenant that had been made with Israel. “The One who dwells between the cherubim.” That, of course is referencing the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant. Right? Then Hezekiah continues with, “You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” Cognizant (this word was my “new word” of the day that flashes up on my phone, made me chuckle) that there is nothing too hard for God.

Friends, when we are under attack for our faith, when people give you a bad time for living according to the standard your God, creator of heaven and earth, has set, the God you stand for,  may I suggest that you not take it personally. It is not you they are attacking, but Jesus, and it is in those times that we must remember to simply fall to our knees, recognize God for who he is with praise and honor and then lay out the pages of the letter or the words of your worry, your grief, before Him, then simply let it go with faith and trust. Nahum 1:7 says, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” So hide and watch, God will handle it, and believe me or better yet, read your Bible, know God, know His strength and promises and trust. Amen?

Have a good day and to God be the glory

God bless you all …..