In Isaiah 37:6 the Lord, through Isaiah, told king Hezekiah “Do not be afraid of what you have heard“. The Assyrians had just bombarded Jerusalem with a propaganda campaign of fear and terror in an attempt to demoralize the people and coerce them to surrender. But Hezekiah instead turned to the Lord and the Lord’s answer to Hezekiah was to not fear what he had heard from the Assyrians. Evidently this encouraged Hezekiah because in 2 Chronicles 32, which is a parallel passage to Isaiah 37, Hezekiah assembled the people and gave them the following message.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8
Hezekiah told the people what the Lord had told him, don’t be afraid! Verse 8 says that the people gained confidence. Hope is contagious, hope builds confidence.
God’s Word is filled with hope and that hope is realized through Jesus Christ. Hope builds confidence, hope builds courage and these things are contagious as we see with Hezekiah’s speech to the people. Hezekiah didn’t give up and God brought about a tremendous victory. It’s the same God. Remember what God has promised. Remember what God has said. He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Let faith overcome fear, live like you’ve won!
This week in our continuing study on Isaiah we will finish up chapter 37 and see Hezekiah’s faith overcome the fear and see God deliver His people miraculously from the Assyrian threat. The lesson will be available under Wednesday Bible Study by 5:00 PM this Wednesday.
Praying everyone has a great week and a Merry Christmas!