"ARE YOU BEING ATTACKED RIGHT AFTER DOING DEEDS OF FAITHFULNESS? GOD IS SIMPLY MOVING YOU ON!"

August 7, 2005

After Our Deeds of Faithfulness

"After these deeds of faithfulness (on the part of King Hezekiah), Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah; he encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them to himself." II Chronicles 32:1, NKJV

Hezekiah had indeed accomplished many "deeds of faithfulness" since becoming king. He had cleansed and repaired the temple and re-instituted regular worship. He had organized a national Passover celebration, of which it was said, "since the time of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, there has been nothing like this in Jerusalem" (II Chronicles 30:26, NKJV). He so stirred the people that they tore down the pagan altars in Jerusalem and the surrounding region, and they brought such abundant offerings that rooms had to be prepared in the temple to receive them (II Chronicles 30:14; 31:1,11).

Judah, Hezekiah's tribe, had also done many "deeds of faithfulness." They, in particular, had responded to Hezekiah's call for reform. Though other tribes had mockers in their midst, "the hand of the Lord was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, at the word of the Lord" (II Chronicles 30:12).

"The whole assembly of Judah rejoiced" during the Passover celebration (II Chronicles 30:25). The people of Judah tore down all the wooden images in their midst and brought tithes in abundance to the temple in Jerusalem (II Chronicles 31:1,6).

Then we read the verse at the top of the page: "After these deeds of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah." Sennacherib didn't come to the half-hearted tribes. King Sennacherib came to Judah where the people had been exceptionally faithful. Isn't this often our own experience in the body of Christ? Satan seems to attack most frequently those most faithful to God. As we have all heard it said, he doesn't bother those who are no threat to him.

But, God never lets Satan (or King Sennacherib) have the last word. We read of some amazing things occurring in II Chronicles 32, after King Sennacherib makes his threats. As I list them below, my hope is that they will encourage anyone who is experiencing "enemy invasion" in their life "after deeds of faithfulness."

"God is Simply Moving You On!"

First, we see that Sennacherib's arrival got Hezekiah and Judah moving. They couldn't just sit and enjoy the afterglow of the wonderful Passover celebration or glory in the abundance of tithes and offerings brought in. They had to fortify themselves.

Here are some of the verses that follow with some suggestions for application in our day:

1) Hezekiah consulted with his leaders and mighty men (II Chronicles 32:3).

    Application: Enlisting the help of others; team ministry.

2) They stopped up the water that ran through the land so that the enemy wouldn't have it available to him (II Chronicles 32:3).

   Application: Not strengthening the enemy in any way (negative statements, gossip, divisiveness).


3) Hezekiah "strengthened himself" (II Chronicles 32:5).

   Application: Personal time with God.


4) They "built up the wall that was broken, raised it up to the towers, and built another wall" (II Chronicles 32:5).

   Application: Working to create a "safe" environment; enhancing security through strengthening relationships, repairing breeches.
 

5) They repaired the Millo (literally landfill; according to The Bible Dictionary, thought to be a tower or bastion filling of some weak part of the wall) (II Chronicles 32:5).

   Application: Special attention given to weak areas.


6) They "made weapons and shields in abundance" (II Chronicles 32:5).

   Application: Steeping ourselves in the Word of God.


7) Hezekiah set military captains over the people, gathered them together to him in the open square of the city gate, and gave them encouragement" (II Chronicles 32:6).

   Application: Encouraging others and ourselves in our callings, speaking faith to one another.


All this happened because the enemy came. And then it gets better. As Sennacherib makes terrible threats, Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah "prayed and cried out to Heaven" (II Chronicles 32:20).

"Then the Lord sent an angel who cut down every mighty man of valor, leader, and captain in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned shamefaced to his own land." II Chronicles 32:21

Are you being attacked "after deeds of faithfulness"? God is simply moving you on. He is working a deeper work in you -- things that wouldn't have been accomplished if the enemy had not come. Be encouraged. Respond as King Hezekiah and the people of Judah did when they were in this place. The outcome for you will be the same as in their day.

Do what you know to do, pray and cry out. Angels are waiting even now to be dispatched to you.

by Jane Williams
Awaken the Day
www.awakentheday.com

Copyright © 2005 Jane Williams

Jane Williams (husband Scott) is a wife and mother who has worked in secular and Christian social work for most of her adult life. She is a member of Christian Fellowship Church, in Columbia, Missouri, and has served in the past as Director of Children's Ministry and current Director of Benevolence Ministry.

Jane feels particularly privileged to have been a co-founder of Granny's House, a Christ-centered after-school haven for kids in public housing, and a founding board member of Columbia Center for Women's Ministries, a peer counseling center for women in need of guidance or support.

She currently writes for Dwelling Together newsletter, and is editor of Center News.

It is her hope that her writings will draw the reader deeper into the Word and the Person of God. Her desire is that each writing will serve as a signpost pointing readers to the dazzling beauty and stunning truth of her Heavenly Father, Wonderful Savior, and Precious Holy Spirit.

Jane and Scott have two college-age children, Aaron and Suzanne.

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