Start Time:	07:55AM
End Time:	09:37AM
Date:	July 19, 2014

 

TITLE: God Is All We Need

Scripture: 2 Kings 19:9 – 20 & 35 – 36

God’s Message / God’s Commands / God’s Promises:

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Background:

> Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of God as a king (2kings 18:36)

> He rebelled against king of Assyria and did not serve him (2kings 18:7)

> Sennacherib threatens Jerusalem (2Kings 18:17 - 37) - creating fear to Hezekiah and the whole people of Judah

Hezekiah's situation:

1) Jerusalem was cornered by Sennacherib and Hezekiah had no way out.

-Are we in a situation where we felt cornered and seemed like there is no way out?  We just had Yolanda some time ago and now, another came, Glenda.  There's no way to stop these storms and all we could do is allow it to happen.  They are out of our control.  All we could do is go through all their attacks. 

Hezekiah's situation is the same way.  Sennacherib's army was very strong and they are already cornered.  There is no way for him to win over Sennacherib, in every area, no matter how he calculates things.  He is just at the losing end:

When we talk about:

• Area - he is cornered
• Warriors - he is outnumbered
• Achievements - Hezekiah may have won some battles but it is nothing compared to Sennacherib's victories over many nations, including Israel, the brothers of Judah.

No matter what angle, victory seems to be impossible for Hezekiah.  Aren’t we in the same situation like Hezekiah today?  There’s no way of stopping the storm, it will pass thru the area it wants to pass thru.  We don’t have a giant wind machine to direct the storm somewhere else.  We can prepare for it but we can never stop it from destroying everything it passes thru.  It’s just impossible! 

What did Hezekiah do?

Hezekiah sought the Lord and His words every time, including in times when things are out of his control (2kings 19:1 - 4)

Question:

What is our first action in a difficult situation?  Do we seek God first or do we find our own solutions and make God our last resort?  Do we seek Him and acknowledge that we are hopeless and that He is our only hope?  Or do we worry about things we can’t control and end up on panic mode?

2) Sennacherib was determined to destroy Hezekiah (2kings 19:9 -13)

Even after God found a way for Sennacherib to leave his post and attend to other things, Sennacherib did not leave without letting Hezekiah know that he is determined to ruin him.

We've been experiencing one typhoon after another and it seems like there's no end to it.  When Glenda came, she didn’t only destroy but even after she left, her impact is still ongoing even to this day.  Business stopped because of Glenda, no way to earn money so how can we sustain ourselves for the next few days since we were not able to earn anything because of the storm?  Not only that, Glenda was not contented of flooding our nation, she also stroke down our electric posts and leave us with no power.  So now, it is difficult to work or do business in the dark even after she is gone.  It is hard to go out and buy food because of the flood on the street and no money because there’s no work.  Some houses were blown away so Glenda is determined to destroy our homes too, leaving us homeless after she left.  In totality, the storm impacted everything we need, food, shelter and water but her impact lasts longer even after her attack.  It’s like every storm is just determined to destroy us even after it left.  And there's just nothing we can do about it. – the same way with Hezekiah’s situation, Sennacherib left the camp but he was determined to destroy Judah.  So even after he left, he made sure there is fear in the hearts of Hezekiah.    

What did Hezekiah do?

Hezekiah prayed and spread Sennacherib’s words to God in the temple (2Kings 19:14 – 19)

Take note on Hezekiah’s prayer.  He asked God to rescue and deliver them but he gave God a reason to do this that God cannot say no to.  Hezekiah said in his prayer to deliver them so that all kingdoms of the earth may know that He alone is God! Hezekiah did not ask God to deliver them because his army is small or because he is weak.  Hezekiah did not ask God to deliver them because Sennacherib is strong and undefeatable.  Hezekiah asked God to deliver them because he wants all kingdoms on earth to know that God is the only God on earth! Let us pray like Hezekiah and highlight who God is in difficult times not highlighting our weakness or our enemy’s strength but highlight God’s greatness!

Question:

What’s the intention of our prayer requests?  Are we asking things from God for our own benefit?  Do we pray and highlight to God how weak we are?  Or how strong our enemy is? 

RESULT:

God heard Hezekiah’s prayer and answered (2Kings 19:20 – 37)

God’s answer:

1)       Sennacherib’s fall proclaimed – our enemies defeat is promised by God; whether it is a storm, poverty, an actual human enemy, or fear… God promised for its defeat so there’s an assurance that Sennacherib will no longer be able to do what he did because he will be ruined.  So the same in our lives… these typhoons will no longer be able to do what it did to us because it will no longer be as strong as it is today for God promised its fall.  Hallelujah!

2)     A sign will be given – God gave Hezekiah signs but God’s sign is marvelous:

a.      Hezekiah will eat what grows by itself – meaning Hezekiah will harvest what he has not worked or planted for. 

b.      Hezekiah will sow and reap – meaning, Hezekiah will enjoy the fruit of his labor. 

c.        Hezekiah’s remnant will take root and bear fruit – meaning Hezekiah’s lineage will be planted in God and will be productive.

3)     God is Jerusalem’s Defense – God will defend us for His Name’s sake and ours too!

Vs. 35 shows that the angel of the Lord went out and put to death 185,000 in the Assyrian camp – this is a supernatural act from God, which is a response to Hezekiah’s prayer to deliver them so that all kingdoms on earth will know that He alone is God.  The supernatural act from the Lord will surely made known to everyone that Judah has the One and True God on their side! – Note that in everything God does in our lives, it is for His glory so it is a must that we testify God’s goodness in our lives.  Because our purpose on earth is to praise Him and everything He does in our lives, all the miracles and the provisions and the healing and everything He did is for our mouths to testify so speak up!  Because God wants everyone to know that He alone is the True God!