SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 18
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Do not listen to Hezekiah. This is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and fig tree and drink water from his own cistern, until I come and take you to a land like your own, a land of grain and new wine, a land of bread and vineyards, a land of olive trees and honey. Choose life and not death! “Do not listen to Hezekiah, for he is misleading you when he says, `The LORD will deliver us.’ [2 Kings 18:31-32]
These words are certainly compelling; the city is surrounded by a massive army, one that has destroyed greater kingdoms than Israel.
To reject this offer is in many ways to reject life; they will be destroyed!
These words are a mirror image of what God promised to Israel if they served Him: a promised land with abundant blessing!
Hezekiah is facing the test of a lifetime.
He has attempted to faithfully serve God, but everything is falling apart.
If he stays true to God, he will lose his life; if he submits to the king of Assyria, he loses God.
Honestly, given this choice, what would you have done?
For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? [Mark 8:35-36]
I have never faced this choice – deny Christ or die!
Jesus reminds us to look beyond the immediate to the ultimate.
What good is it to survive Assyria’s attack if the price is losing God?
Sure, they will survive the siege, but as slaves.
Everyday we face little choices, yet choices with huge consequences.
Put God first today, or put my own life, desires, will first.
How often do we not prioritize our relationship with God, because other desires or demands seem more urgent, important – even life or death?
We run after worldly pleasures, Satan promises us great things, we long for a happy life in this world.
Choose life and not death! – but not the life of this world, eternal life, life that matters, life with God and for God.
Satan will entice us, distract us, and he will taunt us, anything to get us to not focus on the Lord first in our lives.
Think very carefully whose voice you listen to…
And choose the God life, not just physical life.
PRAYER:
Lord, I am being distracted, help me to choose You today!
Choose life and not death were the words of the commander. How right he was. Choose life in God or choose life for today only for tomorrow we die forevermore.
Choices. Decisions. Choose this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my household, we will serve the living God. Those words are etched in my mind, but when the rubber hit the road, what do I do? I start the day talking with God. I end the day talking with Him. I even talk with Him in my daily walk but . . . when a difficult choice must be made, where is my God? He is there but where am I? In times like these, the quake, God was always there but did I always put Him first? He is the Rock, my Rock, my Fortress! He is my Refuge! Did I flee/run to Him? Or did I run in fear? The latter – Lord forgive me.
Again Today God Is First but that can only happen when He works in me and through me by His Spirit and if I keep my eyes focussed on the Light and not the darkness around me. Help me this day, Lord, to walk with You in Your SonShine.
I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.
Refrain
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfill.
Refrain
I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed, Thou blessèd Son.
Refrain