What lessons can we learn from Assyria's invasion about trusting God's protection? Setting the Scene: Isaiah 36:1 “In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them.” Assyria’s armies stand at the door of Jerusalem. Every other stronghold has fallen. From a human vantage point, Judah appears cornered. Yet this moment becomes a master-class on trusting God’s protection. Why Would God Allow Such Pressure? • To reveal His glory when deliverance looks impossible (cf. Isaiah 37:35). • To expose any misplaced confidence in alliances, wealth, or military might (2 Kings 18:19-21). • To deepen Judah’s reliance on Him alone (Isaiah 37:14-20). Lessons on Trusting God’s Protection • Trust is tested in crisis, not comfort. – Hezekiah’s prior reforms (2 Kings 18:3-6) were genuine, yet faith still faced a challenge. • God’s covenant love remains steady even when enemies seem stronger. – Isaiah 37:6 “Do not be afraid of the words you have heard… I will put a spirit in him so that he will return to his land.” • Prayer is our first resort, not last. – Hezekiah spreads the threatening letter before the LORD (Isaiah 37:14). • God answers according to His timetable, but His rescue is decisive. – Isaiah 37:36 “Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians.” • The battle belongs to the LORD; obedience positions us under His protection. – 2 Chronicles 32:8 “With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” • External victories begin with internal steadfastness. – Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast mind, because he trusts in You.” Reinforcing Passages • Psalm 46:1-2 — God as our refuge amid upheaval. • Proverbs 21:31 — “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.” • Romans 8:31 — “If God is for us, who can be against us?” • Ephesians 6:10-11 — Stand strong in the Lord’s mighty power, clothed with His armor. Living the Truth Today • Evaluate where your confidence rests—savings, influence, or God’s character. • Bring threats, anxieties, and impossibilities into God’s presence as Hezekiah did. • Stand on Scripture’s promises; speak them aloud when fear whispers its doubt. • Remember past deliverances to fuel present faith. The God who conquered Assyria remains unchanged. |
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