Isaiah said to them, “Say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have reviled me. (2 Kings 19:6 ESV)
Words are powerful things. She said, “Yes!” He said, “You’re fired!” She said, “I respect you!” He said, “I love you!” She said, “Let’s go!” He said, “I bless you!”
Sennacherib, the most powerful man in the most powerful nation of Assyria had sent some terrible words. And Hezekiah was terrified. The physical threat of the enemy army was made emotionally real by Sennacherib’s message.
Not just because Assyria threatened Jerusalem. But Sennacherib had cast doubts in Hezekiah about the presence, power, and person of God Himself. Sennacherib pointed out logical reasons that seemed to prove that God was weak, uncaring, or non-existent.
Hezekiah listened. And Hezekiah became afraid.
So Isaiah spoke God’s Word. Terrifying words were fought by the sword of the Truthful Word. And while it took Hezekiah quite a while to fully listen, God’s Word was victorious. Assyria’s army failed. Sennacherib’s words were shown to be deceit.
We hear words like Sennacherib’s every day. We are told that the One True Living God is weak, uncaring, or non-existent. Where Hezekiah only heard ONE voice proclaiming God’s insignificance, our ears are filled with declarations, pronouncements, assumptions, and accusations.
But God is not weak, uncaring, or non-existent.
God is strong.
God is love.
And God lives!
We see it most clearly in the God-made-flesh. Jesus showed that He is strong, even conquering death. Jesus showed that He is love, giving up everything for us, His beloved. Jesus showed that He lives, even living AGAIN!
Listen to God’s Word. Not any modern Sennacherib.
Fear not, because God has spoken truth.