Standing strong in prayer - 21 May 2026
Imogen Campbell
And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: 'Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. 2 Kings 19:15-16, NIV
King Hezekiah had a heart for God, and after his own father’s idolatrous reign came to an end, he acceded and rang in the changes – in favour of God. The idols were removed and the king himself kept the commands that the Lord had given Moses. God was with him, and Hezekiah experienced success in much of what he undertook.
In that time, battles for surrounding territory ensued. Once again, Jerusalem found itself in the crosshairs. Jerusalem, the city where God chose to place his name, has often been a focal point of conflict. The arch nemesis of the Living God always wants his grubby hands on it. And he uses unsuspecting humans to do his bidding.
True to form in this instance, in another corner of the world, a powerful army was preparing an attack. The devil wanted it. Soon King Sennacherib of Assyria was sending his army.
Sennacherib’s commander came in speaking to the people on the city wall in Hebrew as if to help them understand how terrifying his army was. This caused great quaking in the hearts of the people. The Assyrian made a grave mistake though – he spoke blasphemy against the God of Israel.
After a faithful King Hezekiah knelt down in prayer in the temple of God, the Lord himself sent word through Isaiah, the son of Amoz. God assured the king that his prayers concerning Sennacherib, king of Assyria, had been heard and he understood that God had spoken against that nation.
For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant, and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors. “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. ... "I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant." (2 Kings 19:31,34)
That night, the angel of the Lord went through the enemy camp, leaving 185 000 Assyrians dead without anyone in Jerusalem having to lift a finger. Never underestimate God’s deliverance.
A time of testing comes to every believer as sure as the sun rises every morning. I have seen that principle play out in the lives of those who love God time and time again. How heartening it is to know that even though storms are sure to come, God knows how to deliver his faithful ones.
Prayer: God Almighty, you are amazing. We love how the Bible speaks of your wonders, glories and victories. May we ever be reminded of those when the dark days come. Amen.