Destruction: A Study in 2 KingsSample

What does it say?

Hezekiah became king and maintained faith in the Lord even when the Assyrians attempted an invasion.

What does it mean?

Hezekiah is one of only three kings mentioned who “did right as David had done.” He destroyed idols and removed the altars at the high places. He was also a wise king with no desire to engage in battle with the Assyrians, who had successfully conquered other nations. The Assyrian messengers not only demanded that Hezekiah surrender, but they also tried to discredit the Lord by comparing Him to the gods of other nations that they had conquered. The messengers’ strategy was to cause Israel to doubt their God and their king, allowing the Assyrians to conquer a panicked city. But Hezekiah stood firm, commanding the people not to respond to anything the messengers said.

How should I respond?

Satan has always sought to cause doubt about who God is. Unfortunately, this strategy is still influential today, even among believers. He utilizes blasphemous and deceitful words in an attempt to weaken our faith. Staying connected to God’s Word is essential to discern truth from error. As tempting as it is to set a naysayer straight, the best approach might be to say nothing at all. Heated debates over religion are seldom productive. Ask God to show you when to speak up and when to show restraint. How will you prepare to stand firm and not be swayed by deceitful words?