Earth Is Heaven's BootcampNäide

We Can Be Courageous Because The Battle Belongs To The Lord!

Running through life’s boot camp, we are going to need courage. Reasons to fear are mounted all around us, trying to pull us into the recesses of its grip. You can’t get through a newscast without negativity and disaster. Big cities, small ones—it seems no one is exempt from heartbreaking news.

King Hezekiah was facing what seemed like an impossible, impending war. The Assyrian king sent Hezekiah a message, stating that he would take Jerusalem, and, in his egotistical manner, bragged about having already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. The evil Assyrian king was so full of himself that he mocked our God, the God of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah went to God in prayer, sharing with the Lord how the King had threatened to take Jerusalem. One lesson we must learn in boot camp is to be genuine with the Lord; give Him all our cares and all the details. God spoke this word to Hezekiah, through the prophet Isaiah, who then to spoke it to the Israelites: “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people. 2 Chronicles 32:7-8 NLT

The Assyrian king warned the people not to listen to Hezekiah, claiming he was trying to trick them. This warning highlighted his ego, as he bragged to the people about having conquered the fortified cities of the Northern Kingdom. Thankfully, the people listened to Hezekiah and God’s Word, and the Assyrian warriors were slaughtered, and the king went back to his palace, where his own sons killed him.

Prayer: Father, like Hezekiah, we need You to fight our battles. We know that doesn’t mean we should lie down, but rather stand on Your Word and take our position, knowing You are with us, and will never forsake us. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.