The Pilgrim Path---Second Chronicles 31: 20---32: 8

Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.

After these things 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. And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and intended to fight against Jerusalem, he planned with his officers and his mighty men to stop the water springs that were outside the city; and they helped him. A great many people were gathered, and they stopped all the springs and the brook that flowed through the land, saying, “Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water?” He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance. And he set commanders over the people and gathered together to him in the square at the gate of the city and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, “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.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

HEZEKIAH and THE TEST of FAITH…

Wow---store that phrase in your heart and mind: “After these things and these acts of faithfulness---INVASION.”

Hezekiah was the saint who walked with God (doing the good and right and faithful), and the “test” of faith came barreling into his life. It was Samuel Rutherford who said, “we go to heaven with the wind and rain blowing in our face.” Why should we be surprised? This world is, as Martin Luther described it, “the arena of faith.” Faith must be tried and tested---if it is to mature and develop. Hezekiah had led Judah in spiritual renewal and now he was to lead the people in the face of national crisis. Would he behave as a steadfast follower of the true and Living God? Would he honor the LORD as sincere devotion required?

All the blood bought children of the LORD Jesus Christ must go through these times. Jesus said, “In the world you shall have tribulation---but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” King Hezekiah had to lead the people of Judah with the vitality of faith. Like Christian in The Pilgrim’s Progress, he had come too far---to turn back! He must go forward in reliance upon the LORD.

---All of us must know that “the days formed for us have been formed by the LORD” (Psalm 139: 16). The LORD has a purpose in what we face. The Apostle Paul would say, “the LORD has a design---to make us like Jesus Christ” (Romans 8). Hezekiah had been walking with the LORD---now was the time for faith to be enlarged. The Psalmist says that the LORD’S thoughts toward us are “good” and they are more numerous than can even be calculated---So HE knows what HE is doing all the time (Psalm 139: 17). What Hezekiah (and the rest of us) owed the LORD was trust---and Hezekiah demonstrated reliance upon HIM when it mattered most!

---Although trusting the LORD---Hezekiah did not sit on his hands in the face of Assyrian invasion. The King used the “means” at his disposal. Verse 3---he planned with his officers to eliminate the water that the invaders might have used / verse 5---he built up walls and towers / verse 6---he set commanders over the people…As far as human preparation was concerned---he did what he was capable of doing. Faith does not discount appropriate means.

---A wise and godly man took advantage of the opportunity: Please note verses 7 and 8---Hezekiah wanted the people to understand that more was going on than the clash of flesh and blood---“With us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” That is what the people needed to hear. That is how the people would be able to summon courage and not be dismayed in the face of an awesome foe! Amazingly---that is how we live: The LORD Jesus Christ---the One with authority over death, hell, and the grave---says to us---Trust me. With all that you are---for time and eternity. By faith, I am your righteousness---By faith, I am your strength and aid in all of life…The Good Shepherd to carry you always…

---A pivotal role: Hezekiah had a serious role to play in the soul-development of quite a few people. We never know when trouble comes---just how many folks are watching? Will we cave in? Or run to the LORD? Will the Word of God be our bed rock---or will circumstances cast us upon the whims of people? The ways of man? Hezekiah's ultimate trust was in the LORD.

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon: As for the true Christian, he expects to have his reward in the next life, and to endure hardness in this. The promise of the old covenant was prosperity, but the promise of the new covenant is adversity. Remember Christ’s words---“Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away, and every branch that beareth fruit” What? “He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” If you bring forth fruit, you will have to endure affliction. “Alas!” you say. “that is a terrible prospect.” But this affliction works out such precious results, that the Christian who is subject of it must learn to rejoice in tribulations, because as his tribulations abound, so his consolations abound by Christ Jesus. Rest assured, if you are a child of God, you will be no stranger to the rod. Sonner or later every bar of gold must pass through the fire. Fear not, but rather rejoice that such fruitful times are in store for you, for in them you will be weaned from earth and made meet for heaven; you will be delivered from clinging to the present, and made to long for those eternal things which are so soon to be revealed to you. When you feel that as regards the present you do serve God for nought, you will then rejoice in the infinite reward of the future.

HYMN

In the hour of trial, Jesus, plead for me;

Lest by base denial I depart from thee;

When thou seest me waver, with a look recall,

Nor for fear or favor suffer me to fall.

James Montgomery, 1834

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason