👑 King of Judah 👑 2 Kings18-21
Hezekiah did what was right in the Lord’s eyes. He smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherath poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake made by Moses as the Israelites were burning incense to it. The Lord was with him and he was successful in all that he did.

Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked Judah and captured the fortified cities. Hezekiah paid him 300 talents of silver and thirty talents of gold and all his demands. Again the king of Assyria planned to attack Jerusalem with his large army. The field officers were teasing Hezekiah that the Lord he trusts could never deliver him from the hands of the Assyrians.

🚼 Sought the Lord 🚼
Hezekiah went into the temple of the Lord wearing sack cloth. He sent a group of people in sack cloth to Isaiah the prophet. He spread the letter from the Assyrian messenger before the Lord and prayed sincerely. The Lord encouraged Hezekiah and said that he would defend the city and save it for his sake and for the sake of David his servant. That night the angel of the Lord went out and put to death 185, 000 men. Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew.

⏳ His Sickness ⏳
Hezekiah became very illll and prophet Isaiah went to him and saw that he was going to die. Hezekiah turned to the wall and wept bitterly and prayed.The Lord answered, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears, behold I will heal you. God said he would add 15 years to his life. Hezekiah recovered. For a sign of his recovery the Lord made the shadow go backward.

💰 His Foolishness 💰
The king of Babylon sent messengers to Hezekiah with a letter and a gift. Hezekiah showed them all the treasures of his kingdom to the strangers. Isaiah the prophet told him that because he had shown all his treasures to the messengers, the Babylonians will come in time and take every thing away. Some of his descendants would become eunuchs in the palace of Babylon. When Hezekiah died his son Manasseh succeeded him.

👑 Manasseh 👑
He was twelve years old when he became king and ruled for 55 years. He did evil in the sight of the Lord and followed detestable practices of idol worshippers. He rebuilt the high places and altars to Baal. The Lord God was very angry with him. The Lord said that he would bring much disaster on Judah and Jerusalem.

✴️ Think it Over ✴️
Solomon started his life so well pleasing to God but his end was miserable because he went against the commands and decrees of God. In the same way Hezekiah also began well but he was the cause for much disaster on Judah and Jerusalem. May the Lord help us to follow the example of Paul who could say that he had run his race kept the faith and he was waiting for his crown in heaven. May the Lord help us!

Mrs Caroline Chellappa 📝
Chennai

🌰 Nugget for the Day 🌰

📜 Hezekiah and the Letter 📜

📖 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord . And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord : (2 Kings 19:14‭-‬15).

King Hezekiah received a threatening letter from his opponents. He went to the temple of the Lord. Opened the letter and spread it at His presence and started to pray.

What is the FIRST thing that we do when we are in a difficult situation? Where do we go for help? Whom do we try to contact immediately? Do we run to the mobile and start sending WhatsApp prayer requests?

Before sending emails and WhatsApp prayer requests why not go to the Seat of Mercy? Try locking the door and praying in secret. Our Father in Heaven will hear our secret prayers and reward us openly.

Stay safe; maintain social distancing; but don’t distance yourself from God, our Father in Heaven.

Mrs Sheela Jebakumar ✍️
October 8, 2020