Security in the Face of Overwhelming Odds

How often do you find yourself struggling to come to grips with a situation that appears to be beyond your escape? Maybe it’s an addiction? A financial situation? A marital or family problem? A struggle in the workplace? Whatever it is, it seems to control your life no matter how you try to shake it off. You just can’t seem to break free no matter how hard you try? You love and serve God. You read the Word. You attend church regularly, but the problem remains in your life.

The Bible speaks of a man in a similar situation. King Hezekiah had been born into the household of an evil king. He was reared in an atmosphere of evil immersed in a home filled with the worship of many different gods. But, when he became king at age 25, he turned the nation of Judah around. His heart and life was dedicated to the one true God. He tore down all the temples and places of worship dedicated to the foreign gods. He cleaned up the temple of Almighty God and led the nation back to God (2 Kings 18:3-4 HCSB).

The Bible tells us: “Hezekiah trusted in the Lord God of Israel.. He held fast to the Lord and did not turn from following Him but kept the commandments the Lord had commanded Moses. The Lord was with him, and wherever he went, he prospered” (vv. 5-7). It appeared everything was on the up and up for Hezekiah. He appeared to be secure in the Lord.

But, he awoke one day only to discover a vast enemy had invaded the land and was encamped around the city. His security was now in question. From his vantage point atop the wall, he saw nothing but enemy so invaders prepared to capture or kill everyone in the city. He found himself confronted by overwhelming odds.

The enemy leader attempted to provoke Hezekiah by shouting out to him: “What are you relying on? You think mere words are strategy and strength for war. What are you now relying on so that you have rebelled against me?… how is the Lord to deliver Jerusalem?” (vv. 19-20, 35).

Hezekiah made no attempt to answer rather we are told he “went into the Lord’s temple” (2 Kings 19:1) and directed the priest to go and tell the prophet Isaiah of the desperate situation the nation was in. Isaiah assured them that God would take care of the desperate situation.

Once again, the enemy leader sent Hezekiah a message telling him: “Don’t let your God, whom you trust, deceive you by promising that Jerusalem will not be handed over to the king of Assyria” (v. 10). At this point, you would think Hezekiah’s fear would be greatly compounded; but, he took it back to Isaiah who assured him of God’s plan to intervene at just the right time.

Maybe you have given up. Over time, you have allowed your situation to get the best of you and you have finally just given up on God intervening and have succumbed to the fact that your cause is lost. Don’t stop praying. Don’t stop trusting God. He has a plan for you and He will not allow your situation to destroy you.

The Bible tells us: “the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning-there were all the dead bodies! So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and left. He returned home and lived in Nineveh” (vv. 35-36). Just when things couldn’t get any worse, God stepped in. In the face of overwhelming odds, God moved through His angel and destroyed a vast number of the enemy as they slept. Fear overwhelmed the others when they awoke and discovered all the dead bodies lying around and they hit the road back home.

Hezekiah didn’t have to raise a hand in the battle. God took care of the enemy. Hezekiah simply trusted in the word of the Lord to take care of the nation. He remained faithful to God regardless of how desperate the situation appeared.

Regardless of your current situation, you can rest in the fact that God is there for you. You may not see Him acting. Things may be getter worse rather than better; but God is there for you. Simply trust in Him and in His plan and purpose for your life.

Scripture Reading: “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever. Jerusalem-the mountains surround her. And the Lord surrounds His people, both now and forever. The scepter of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous, so that the righteous will not apply their hands to injustice. Do what is good, Lord, to the good, to those whose hearts are upright. But as for those who turn aside to crooked ways, the Lord will banish them with the evildoers. Peace be with Israel” (Psalm 125 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, I am crying out to You in desperation today. My life seems overwhelmed by the problems and situations that are confronting me. The odds seemed stacked heavily against me and the enemy continues taunting me. I am not sure how much more I can take. Please help me. Please grant me peace and security in my heart to know that You are in control and I will not be overtaken nor destroyed. I am placing my trust completely in You today and I know You will take care of this in Your way in Your perfect time. I love You and thank You…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!