Divine Control
One of my favorite stories from the Old Testament is found in II Kings 18-19. Sennacherib brought the armies of Assyria to Jerusalem, and Hezekiah is King of Judah. Assyria destroyed Israel seemly without difficulty, and when Sennacherib came against Judah he was confident and arrogant. When Hezekiah received that fateful letter he didn't wring his hands in fear and trembling, or shake and wonder what he might do. He went straight to his knees before the One who is always in control.
It was Isaiah who brought God's answer to Hezekiah. What an answer! Let me quote verses 27 and 28 of chapter 19, a rather direct message to Sennacherib. "But I know your sitting down, and your going out and your coming in, and your raging against Me. Because of your raging against Me, and because your arrogance has come up to My ears, therefore I will put My hook in your nose, and My bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back by the way which you came!" I wonder how Sennacherib received that answer! Knowing what he was like I imagine he laughed. After all, the God of Judah was the same as the God of Israel, and He hadn't stepped up to save Israel! Why would He save Judah? Why indeed!
Why did God save Jerusalem? That question is answered in II Kings 19:34. He defended the city and saved it for His own sake, and for His servant David's sake! So that night an impossible enemy experienced a very frightening reality. When God steps in there is no missing His mighty hand. In verse 35 the angel of the Lord went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians! In the morning they all got up ready to conquer Judah, only to discover that most of the soldiers were dead, killed by the angel of the Lord in the night! What must it have been like?
"Wake the men! Sound reveille!" Ha! Who buried those 185,000 soldiers? Where were they buried? The Bible doesn't tell us! I wish the whole story was there. Whatever the case, the armies of Assyria must have seemed like the huge crocodile in the picture above, something indestructible, impossible to kill. For God it was as simple as dispatching one angel!
Do you ever feel like things are out of control? I do! But God reminds me again and again of His mighty power. In truth, God is in control. He's got this! Whatever is going on right now is no surprise to Him. He didn't miss something! And to the arrogant who think He is silent and far away I would give this warning: Beware! God is not mocked! His power is not diminished! His control is not slipping! So my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, be strong and courageous! Stand firm! My God has absolute control of His world! He does not change. His word is established! As for me, I will follow Him, and I will fear Him!
