June 25
2018
Spread it out before the Lord
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. Then Hezekiah prayed to the LORD, saying: “O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Isaiah 37:14-16
Sennacherib was threatening to come against the people of Judah.
The men of the King of Assyria came to the walls of the city, in the hearing of the men of Judah and spoke of the plans of Sennacherib to destroy Judah as he had destroyed others.
The messengers brought this information to Hezekiah.
What Hezekiah did with it, is an important lesson for all of us.
Hezekiah physically brought the letter and took it to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord.
Then he prayed, beginning by acknowledging the greatness of God.
We MUST learn to bring our concerns before the Lord.
Our initial reaction should not be to panic, to devise elaborate counterattacks or to withdraw in fear. Our initial reaction must be to acknowledge the greatness of our God in every circumstance and then bring the issue to Him, spread it out before Him, and wait on His response.
In this case the Lord sent Isaiah with a message for Hezekiah; a message that they would be safe from the king of Assyria.
In our case the message from the Lord may come in various ways: though His still, small voice; through the Word of God; through someone around us; or even through a series of circumstances in which we clearly see the Lord’s Hand at work.
What concern is on your mind and heart this day? Spread it out before the Lord even now and wait for His response.