What other biblical examples show God's deliverance from seemingly impossible situations? Setting the Scene: Sennacherib’s Siege “After this, Sennacherib king of Assyria sent his servants to Jerusalem … to Hezekiah king of Judah and to all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem” (2 Chronicles 32:9). Humanly speaking, Jerusalem had no chance against the Assyrian war machine. Yet when Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed, “the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated every mighty warrior, commander, and officer in the camp of the king of Assyria” (2 Chronicles 32:21). God turned an impossible siege into a stunning victory. Old Testament Snapshots of Impossible Deliverance • Red Sea Escape – “The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14). Waters parted, Israel walked through on dry ground, and Egypt’s army drowned. • Walls of Jericho – “When the people heard the trumpet blast, they shouted with a great shout” (Joshua 6:20). Impenetrable walls collapsed by God’s power, not human engineering. • Gideon’s 300 – “The LORD said to Gideon, ‘With the three hundred men…I will save you’” (Judges 7:7). Outnumbered 450 to 1, Israel triumphed because God fought. • Jehoshaphat’s Choir – “The battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15). Worshipers led the army; God ambushed the enemies. • Fiery Furnace – “Look! I see four men… and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods” (Daniel 3:25). Flames could not touch Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. • Lions’ Den – “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths” (Daniel 6:22). Daniel emerged unharmed. • Esther’s Reversal – “On the very day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, the situation was reversed” (Esther 9:1). A death sentence became national deliverance. • Jonah’s Rescue – “Salvation comes from the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). A great fish preserved Jonah when drowning seemed certain. New Testament Portraits of God’s Rescue • Calming the Storm – “He rebuked the wind and raging waters; they ceased, and it became calm” (Luke 8:24). Nature obeyed its Creator. • Feeding the Five Thousand – “They all ate and were satisfied” (Luke 9:17). Five loaves and two fish became a feast. • Lazarus Raised – “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:43). Even death surrendered. • Peter Freed from Prison – “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared…and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists” (Acts 12:7). Iron gates opened by themselves. • Paul and Silas in Philippi – “Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so the foundations of the prison were shaken” (Acts 16:26). Chains loosened, doors flew open, and a jailer was saved. • Resurrection of Jesus – “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6). The ultimate victory over the impossible. Common Threads Worth Noticing • Every crisis looked hopeless from a human vantage point. • God’s intervention often came after prayer, praise, or courageous obedience. • Victory highlighted God’s glory—no one could claim the credit. • Each deliverance strengthened faith for future challenges, as Hezekiah surely remembered earlier chronicles of God’s power. Living in Light of These Stories Scripture’s record is clear: “With God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). When circumstances feel like Sennacherib’s siege—overwhelming, unyielding—these accounts call us to anchor our confidence in the same faithful Deliverer who has never lost a battle. |
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