What A Difference, When You Face Tough Times
2 Kings 18:28-37; 19:1-4; 2:15-19; 20:1-6
Intro: We all face hard times. The question really is how do we face them? Hezekiah was a good, godly king. In fact, he was considered a great king for Judah. So he was problem free? No, of course not. He faced difficult times. I want to spend a little time tonight looking at some aspects of the trouble he faced.
First, I want to look at Hezekiah's life…
He was a good man 2 Ki. 18:3
He abhorred evil - 4
He actively abhorred evil - 4
He trusted God - 5
He clave unto the Lord - 6
He followed after God - 6
He kept His commandments - 6
He prospered - 7
He rebelled against the king of Assyria and served him not!
(When we make a stand, we often have to fight big battles)
In his 4th year of reigning as King of Judah, Samaria was besieged and fell in his 6th year. So Israel was taken captive because of their disobedience to God.
In his 14th year as king, Sennacherib came and took the fenced cities of Judah. Hezekiah paid a great sum of gold and silver to the king of Assyria. Then they came against Jerusalem also.
Things were tough!
How can things like this happen to a good man?
If we give in to the devil, he only seeks more.
Now I want to look at how Hezekiah handled some of the tough times…
When problems surfaced he did what most of us do…
Hezekiah showed emotion and went to the house of the Lord - 19:1-7
Acknowledged his need -
Accepted his inability to help himself
Asked for the "Man of God"
Answer came from God’s man (Isaiah) – 6-7
Don't you just wish all our problems would go away so easily?
Tell God your need, your helplessness and then call for God's man!???
When problems continued…
Hezekiah prayed to the Lord for his people - 19:14-
Went to the House of the Lord
Spread before the Lord his problem
Called Him the Lord God of Israel - 15
Acknowledged His greatness - 15
Explained the problem - 16
Shared his fears - 17,18
Pleaded his case for God's rescue - 19
Received God's answer of deliverance- 20-37 (36)
Then later when problems struck home…
Hezekiah prayed to the Lord for himself - 20:1-6
Warned by God to set his house in order
Turned his face to the wall and sought God
He prayed unto the Lord
God answered his prayer and extended his life 15 years
Lessons learned from this:
Good people face difficult problems.
Do not throw stones.
Problems may cause us to look toward God for answers and help.
Do not throw stones
Concerns for others may stir our piety enough to seek God.
Do not throw stones
Often…
Personal problems will cause us to fervently seek out God for His help.
Do not throw stones
The passing of the storm lets the "old man" shine forth (pride). - 20:12-19
Do not throw stones
Gary Marcum – New Beginnings Church – 041810pm – first used 090300pm