May 4, 2026 - 2 Chronicles 32-33

Just because a king (or we) does what is right (See yesterday’s thoughts on Hezekiah.), does not mean that he (or we) will escaped the world’s opposition:  “After these things (Hezekiah’s restoration of the temple worship and calling the people back to God) and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them for himself” (32:1).  When Sennacherib invaded, Hezekiah did two things:  1) He addressed the water supply for Jerusalem and, 2) He strengthened the defensive walls of the city.  Now, Hezekiah would eventually waver because of the threats of Assyria but hear his initial words to his people and military commanders:  “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.  With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles” (32:7-8).  We need this encouragement and reminder, every day, that is, we are not armed with an arm of flesh but our God fights for us!

Workman of God! O lose not heart,

But learn what God is like;

And in the darkest battlefield

Thou shalt know where to strike.

Thrice blest is he to whom is given

The instinct that can tell

That God is on the field, when He

Is most invisible.

Blest too is he who can divine

Where real right doth lie,

And dares to take the side that seems

Wrong to man’s blindfold eye.   --Frederick William Faber (1849)