King Hezekiah was a godly ruler and his goverenment had instituted religious reform throughout the land, destroying idols and turning the hearts of the people back to the true and Living God. In the midst of his zeal for the Lord Hezekiah faced a great trial of his faith. He was attacked by the King of Assyria,Sennacherib, who commanded the most powerful military force on earth and they were determined to conquer the world. They laid seige upon the city of Jerusalem, and shouted insults against their God and Belittled King Hezekiah for leading the people to trust in Him. The king of Assyria sent a letter to Hezekiah stating that they had already conquered most of the surrounding nations, and that their gods were powerless to defend them and neither could Hezekiah's God deliver them. (2 Kings 19:10-13)

                           King Hezekiah responded to the threats and accusations of his enemy by taking the letter and spreading it out upon the altar before the Lord in prayer. In his prayer Hezekiah first acknowledges that God alone rules the kingdoms of earth, and He created heaven and earth. Secondly he asks God to note the Assyrian King's lack of respect for Him and His people. It was true that the other nations had been conquered by the Assyrians and their gods were helplessly burned in the fire but it was because they were not gods at all but merely the works of men's hands, stone and wood. Finnally Hezekiah cries, "Deliver us out of their hand," and here's why- "so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone." (2 Kings 19:14-19)

                           The result of Hezekiah's prayer was one night " The Angel of the Lord went out and killed one hundred eighty-five thousand Assyrians" and when morning came their corpses were strewn across the fields. The Assyrians were forced to return to their homeland in utter defeat and while worshipping in the temple of his god Nishrock King Sennacherib was assinated by two of his sons-his god was unable to protect him.  (2 Kings 19:35-37)

                           We are engaged in a spiritual warfare and our enemy tries to intimidate us with fear and doubt. He belittles our God saying that He is unable to help us. He slanders our King, the Captain of our salvation, saying He and His people are facing a certain ruin. Like Hezekiah we use our mighty weapon of prayer and the Mighty Angel will show up !  "This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The Angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them." (Psalm 34:6,7) So in the midst of your trials look to God in prayer, spread it all out before Him on the altar, cry out to Him, and He will send His Mighty Angel to deliver you !Our King Jesus will lead us to victory at last ! "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." (Rom. 8:37)    - Pastor Caldwell