All men have not a Divine refuge in trouble. The irreligious cannot
rush into the sheltering arms of God. Hezekiah had done all that a
wise monarch could do to defend his city (2 Chron. xxxii. 1-8), and
after this he committed his way to God. Fanaticism despises means,
but true faith uses them, and then soars above them to rest in
Omnipotence. 1. _Hezekiah sought God, his refuge, in the Temple._ For
the spiritual training of a people who were to be God's witnesses to
the end of time, God's presence was more especially revealed there.
Special promises were given to those who prayed there. Moreover, it
was Hezekiah's accustomed place of prayer. Helpful memories often
crowd around us in places where we have prayed, and bear us up, as
upon eagles' wings, into the Divine presence. 2. _He would set a good
example to the nation._ He would lead his people to seek God in that
day of trouble. 3. _He would publicly manifest his confidence in
God's power to protect and save._ His faith found expression in an
act which honoured God and quickened His people's confidence in Him.
He spread the letter before the Lord. A most significant act--a
prayer in action. Probably done in solemn silence, words afterward
rising to his lips. He would not answer this letter, but would leave
it with God to answer it. Many letters might better be left with God
than answered. If enemies threaten us, let us make God our refuge,
and our deliverance also will be sure (P. D. 779).
_Learn_--1. So to live as to have those troubles only which come to
us by Divine appointment. 2. In the greatest of these troubles never
to despair of Divine help, but to expect it. 3. To be pious in
prosperity, that when adversity comes we may have God for our refuge
(H. E. I. 3877-3879).--_W. Osborne Lilley: The Homiletic Quarterly,_
vol. i. pp. 389-391.
The conduct of Hezekiah recited here teaches us _our first duty and
best resource in any emergency._ Sennacherib had captured all the
defended cities of Judah, and at length, determining to capture
Jerusalem, he sent a taunting, boastful, threatening letter to
Hezekiah, reminding him of the Assyrian conquests, and warning him
against a vain confidence in the help of his God. This letter
Hezekiah spread before the Lord in earnest prayer. The sequel shows
how wisely he acted, and a consolatory message was sent by Isaiah to
Hezekiah. Sennacherib was not allowed to shoot an arrow against
Jerusalem; his army was destroyed, and he was compelled to return
ignominiously to his own land, where he shortly afterwards perished.
Here we have an example that should be followed by any one harassed,
irritated, alarmed.
1. _Sorrowful ones,_ take note of it. In this world there is much to
trouble, harass, annoy us, but we should be more proof against such
things if we were more accustomed to have recourse to the Divine
helps graciously offered us. You know what a source of comfort it is
to lay open your grief to a sympathising friend. This source of help
and consolation may fail you, but there is no imaginable state in
which you may not spread your sorrow before the Lord. Nor can any
friend so fully enter into it, compassionate it, relieve it. What a
privilege it is to have such a Comforter always at hand! How
completely are they enemies to their own happiness who neglect to
avail themselves of such an advantage (H. E. I. 3739-3741, 199, 2311,
2322; P. D. 96, 2820).
2. Connected with Hezekiah's sorrow there was _fear._ The more reason
for spreading his case before the Lord, of all friends the most
willing and able to remove the cause of apprehension. Daniel in the
den of lions, Shadrach and his brethren in the furnace, Paul and
Silas in prison, might be quoted in proof of God's readiness to
deliver His people from fear and danger. Whatever may be the nature
or the source of your fear, spread it before the Lord (H. E. I. 4058).
3. Another feeling which the perusal of Sennacherib's letter was
likely to produce in Hezekiah's mind was _irritation._ It was written
in a tone of proud sarcasm, well calculated to produce this effect.
If Hezekiah found any such feeling arise in his mind in reading it,
what could he do better than lay it before the Lord? We are
continually liable to meet with circumstances calculated to ruffle
the temper. Then, if we wish to feel and act as Christians should,
let us spread the case before the Lord; let us not trust to our
command of temper, or to any resolutions we may have formed, but meet
the sudden call upon our patience and forbearance by a prompt
application to the Fountain whence those graces flow. It is possible
to pray under any circumstance. Ejaculatory prayer is a most precious
privilege, especially in circumstances of sudden trial or temptation.
As anger springs up so suddenly in the mind in cases of irritation,
it is most happy that there is an antidote to its evil effects on the
mind that may be resorted to as speedily (H. E. I. 3765-3773). How
much better is prayer than angry retorts (H. E. I. 261-271).
The good effects of the habit of carrying everything to God are not
limited to those three cases; they extend to every conceivable
circumstance of trial or temptation. They have yet to learn the value
of religion who do not know the difference it makes in a state of
trial and affliction to have the privilege of turning to a reconciled
and loving Father, and spreading our calamity before Him, and asking
His tender and strong support. As trials may befall us at any hour,
we should live in constant fellowship with Him (H. E. I.
3872-3879).--_John Marriott, M.A.: Sermons,_ pp. 434-436.