Verses 1-6, 8-20
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When you are faced with endangerment, simply go to God in prayer. Fast if you feel convicted to. Prayer is always a solution.
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This was Hezekiah's response when Rabshakeh continued to try to intimidate him.
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This time, Rabshakeh tried to convince Hezekiah that God was deceiving him. Hezekiah, again, said nothing to Rabshakeh, but went straight to God. This is all we must do when enemies try to sow doubt in us. Don't continue to entertain a conversation that will tend to bring more doubt. Take refuge in the Word and prayer!
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Notice Hezekiah's prayer. He reminded himself that God is the creator of all things, but the gods of the foreign nations were only idols made of wood and stone.
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Remember that we can always trust the Creator! No other enemy can defeat the God who made heaven and earth.
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Then he finished by asking for salvation, though not for the sake of his own life or comfort, but for the sake of the true God being known and glorified.
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When you pray and act, don't seek personal comfort or convenience. Pray for what will glorify God. Make it your joy to see God's will done, no matter what happens to you. When you pray this way, and act for God's honor, you will see greater results.
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Verse 7
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Notice that God could send or allow a spirit to go and speak to Sennacherib, causing him to believe something untrue, which turned his attention away from Judah.
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Remember that demons / angels, which are spirits, can speak to people and influence them, and know that God even uses this to bring about His will in situations. Know that nothing is out of God's control!
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Verses 21-35
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In response, God humbled and punished Sennacherib for his pride and rage, and cancelled his attack against Judah.
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Verse 35. God did this, again, for His own sake (that is, to preserve the honor of His name) but He also acted for His servant David's sake. This means that God defended Judah because He had promised David, in the past, that He would preserve Jerusalem.
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This is a reminder that God always keeps His promises! You can always trust what God says, no matter how many people doubt it. Believe God rather than fallible man.
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Verses 36-38
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God has angels created for war.
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Angelic beings have incredible power and strength. They far outmatch humans. Knowing this, do not think of demons—which are also angelic beings—as weak. They are powerful. Only by faith in the name of Jesus Christ do we have greater power to defeat them (Mark 16:17). Rely on Christ, not on yourself.
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Sennacherib was slain by his own two sons, and ironically, while worshipping his false god.
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Serving an idol or false god—an act inspired by the devil—only subjects you to the devil's works, which are death and destruction. To have life, serve the one true God only!
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