Daily EncouragementSample

Earth’s rulers are in the hands of God. These words refer to Sennacherib, Assyria’s King, whose army besieged Jerusalem during Hezekiah’s reign. He was accustomed to conquering kings, occupying their cities and throwing their gods into the fire. In “the Holy One of Israel” he met his match. For he was “the living God” (verse 17) and he knew all about Sennacherib - he knew his every thought, word and deed. And the all-knowing God was all-powerful. The prayers of God’s people affect the rulers of the world. Hezekiah spread out before God in prayer a letter from Assyria’s powerful monarch in which he threatened to assault Hezekiah’s little city. The outcome was this: “So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew” (verse 37). Different reasons might be offered for this move, but Isaiah states it thus: “Because you have prayed to me . . . ” (verse 21). God has the last word with every ruler who opposes him: “He sets up kings and deposes them” (Dan. 2:21). “One day,” which seemed like any other, Sennacherib was worshiping in the temple of his god, and then his sons . . . cut him down with the sword (verse 38). Here is encouragement to remember the power of God and the power of prayer, despite tyranny and tyrants.