Amazing Grace - When Prayer Turns the Tide. (2 Kings 19: 1-37)

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Episode Notes:  Amazing Grace - When Prayer Turns the Tide. (2 Kings 19: 1-37)

Life has a way of surprising us. Most days are ordinary enough, predictable, manageable, familiar. But every so often, life throws us a curveball.

 A phone call.

A diagnosis.

A financial blow.

A relationship crisis.

A sudden loss.

 And when those moments come, and they will, the question is simple…. How do you handle a crisis?

Today, we’re going to look at a king who faced a crisis so overwhelming that the entire city of Jerusalem hung in the balance. And the way he responded gives us a pattern, not a complete list, but certainly an essential, helpful example of how believers can face the hardest moments of life. 

Transcript

Amazing Grace - When Prayer Turns the Tide. (2 Kings 19: 1-37)

Life has a way of surprising us. Most days are ordinary enough, predictable, manageable, familiar. But every so often, life throws us a curveball.

A phone call.

A diagnosis.

A financial blow.

A relationship crisis.

A sudden loss.

And when those moments come, and they will, the question is simple…. How do you handle a crisis?

Some crises are small and pass quickly. Others feel like they could swallow you whole. But all of them reveal something about us, and about our faith.

Today, we’re going to look at a king who faced a crisis so overwhelming that the entire city of Jerusalem hung in the balance.

And the way he responded gives us a pattern, not a complete list, but certainly an essential, helpful example of how believers can face the hardest moments of life.

So, join me in 2 Kings 19, and let’s step into the story….

If you’ve been following our journey through 2 Kings, you know the background.

Assyria, the superpower of the ancient world, had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. They’ve taken Samaria, the capital. They’ve now marched south and captured city after city in Judah. An Assyrian inscription from outside the Bible claims they took 46 fortified cities…. And now they stand at the gates of Jerusalem.

Hezekiah is king, and Jerusalem is the last stronghold, and the Assyrian commander sends a message dripping with arrogance:

“Look at what we’ve done everywhere else. Don’t think your God will save you. Surrender now.”

It’s not just a military threat, it’s a theological insult, and Hezekiah feels the weight of it.

We will now see Hezekiah’s response.

1 And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord. 2 Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz. 3 And they said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah: ‘This day is a day of trouble, and rebuke, and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to [a]bring them forth. 4 It may be that the Lord your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the Lord your God has heard. Therefore, lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’ ”

5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6, And Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 7 Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumour and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.” ’ ”

8 Then the Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he heard that he had departed from Lachish. 9 And the king heard concerning Tirhakah, king of Ethiopia, “Look, he has come out to make war with you.” So, he again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, 10 “Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, “Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” 11 Look! You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by utterly destroying them; and shall you be delivered? 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered those whom my fathers have destroyed, Gozan and Haran and Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?’ ”

(2 Kings 19:1–13)

Verse 1 says: “He tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth.”

In the ancient world, tearing your clothes and wearing sackcloth were signs of deep grief and desperation.

Hezekiah isn’t pretending to be strong, and he isn’t putting on a brave face, and he isn’t acting like he has everything under control. He is honest, he is broken, and he is overwhelmed.

And he does the wisest thing a person can do in a crisis. He goes straight to the presence of God. Before strategy, before planning, before getting advice, he prays.

If you remember nothing else from this episode, remember this: When a crisis hits, the first step is always prayer.

The text then tells us he sends messengers to Isaiah the prophet. Now this is significant. Hezekiah and Isaiah knew each other well. Isaiah wrote several chapters about Hezekiah’s life, and in this moment, Hezekiah knows he needs more than his own perspective.

He needs someone who hears from God. Someone who can speak truth into fear and someone who can pray with him and for him.

This is a gentle reminder for us also. When you face a crisis, don’t face it alone. Find someone who will pray with you, stand with you, and speak God’s truth to you. Every believer needs at least one “Isaiah” in their life.

The messengers tell Isaiah. “This is a day of trouble… a day of rebuke… a day of blasphemy… and we have no strength.”  (v. 3)

Hezekiah is not pretending. He is not minimizing the danger, and he is not trying to be the hero.

He simply says. “We don’t have the strength to handle this.”

Have you ever felt that way? 

“I don’t know what to do.”

“I don’t have the strength for this.”

“I can’t fix this.”

That’s exactly where Hezekiah is, and that’s exactly where God often begins His greatest work.

So, Hezekiah asks for prayer. He knows he needs help, he knows he needs intercession, and he knows he needs others to stand with him.

This is why the church prays together. This is why we share burdens and why we ask for prayer…. Because sometimes the crisis is too heavy to carry alone.

Isaiah sends back a message from the Lord. It simply… “Do not be afraid.”

Those three words appear again and again in Scripture. Some say 365 times, one for every day of the year. Whether that number is exact or not, the message is clear: Fear is real, but it is not final and God speaks peace can speak into any feeling of panic.

Isaiah continues. “I will deal with the king of Assyria. He will return home, and he will die there.”  God is saying: “Hezekiah, this battle is not yours…. It’s Mine.”

But just when Hezekiah receives this encouraging word, another message arrives, and it’s worse. Because the Assyrian king has sent a second letter saying.

“Don’t trust your God.

Look at all the nations I’ve destroyed.

Their gods didn’t save them.

Yours won’t either.”

Have you ever noticed that sometimes, right after you pray… right after you trust… right after you receive encouragement… the situation can appear to get worse? That is the ultimate test.

Well, that’s exactly what happens here.

But it doesn’t mean God isn’t working; it just means the story isn’t finished.

But now Hezekiah must decide what to do with the latest wave of fear. But what Hezekiah does next is one of the most beautiful, powerful moments of faith in the entire Old Testament.

14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: “O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17 Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, 18 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore, they destroyed them. 19 Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.”

20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard.’ 21 This is the word which the Lord has spoken concerning him:

‘The virgin, the daughter of Zion,

Has despised you, laughed you to scorn;

The daughter of Jerusalem

Has shaken her head behind your back!

22 ‘Whom have you reproached and blasphemed?

Against whom have you raised your voice?

And lifted up your eyes on high?

Against the Holy One of Israel.

23 By your messengers, you have reproached the Lord,

And said: “By the multitude of my chariots

I have come up to the height of the mountains,

To the limits of Lebanon;

I will cut down its tall cedars

And its choice cypress trees;

I will enter the extremity of its borders,

To its fruitful forest.

24 I have dug and drunk strange water,

And with the soles of my feet, I have dried up

All the brooks of defense.”

(2 Kings 19:14–24)

So, let’s step back and ask the obvious question. Is this a crisis?  Absolutely.

This is bigger than anything most of us will ever face. An entire empire is breathing down Hezekiah’s neck, and Jerusalem is surrounded. The most powerful army in the world is mocking his faith, mocking his God, and promising destruction.

And yet, what Hezekiah does next is one of the most beautiful pictures of faith in the entire Old Testament.

Let’s walk through it again.

When You’re in a Crisis, God Needs to Hear from You, and You Need to Hear from God. That’s the heart of this whole passage. Hezekiah prayed, and he sought godly counsel.

When you’re in a crisis, the first movement should always be upward. But now the passage gives us more detail, not just that he prayed, but how he prayed. And this is where the story becomes incredibly practical. Because Hezekiah takes the crisis into the presence of God

Hezekiah received the letter… and went up to the house of the LORD and spread it before the LORD. I love this scene. Hezekiah takes the letter, the threats, the insults, the fear, the intimidation, and he walks straight into the temple, lays it out before God, and says: “Lord, did You see this?”

That’s prayer in its purest form.

Not polished.

Not poetic.

Not formal.

Just honest.

Just real.

Just a man bringing the crisis into the presence of God.

And sometimes that’s exactly what you need to do.

Bring the diagnosis.

Bring the bill.

Bring that scary email.

Bring the fear.

And spread it out before the Lord.

And when he opens his mouth, he begins with worship, not panic. He says, “O LORD God of Israel… You are God, You alone… You made heaven and earth.”

Before he asks for anything, before he mentions the crisis, before he pleads for help… He acknowledges who God is.

He starts with the sovereignty of God. “Lord, You are in control.”

That’s not just praise, that’s perspective.

When you remember who God is, your crisis shrinks to its proper size.

He talks to God like a friend.  “Incline Your ear… open Your eyes… hear the words of Sennacherib…”

Hezekiah is not being irreverent; he’s being honest. He’s pouring out his heart, explaining the situation, and he’s telling God exactly how he feels…. And that’s what friends do.

Scripture calls Abraham “the friend of God.” Jesus said to His disciples, “I call you friends.” A friend is someone you can talk to without fear of rejection. Someone you can be honest with and someone who listens.

That’s what Hezekiah is doing…. And that’s what you can do.

Then finally, he makes his request — But notice the motive

“Therefore, O LORD our God, I pray, save us… that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD, You alone.”

Hezekiah finally gets to the request. “Lord, save us.” But notice the motive. Not “so we can survive.” Not “so we can be comfortable.” Not “so we can avoid suffering.” But: “So the world will know who You are.”

That is the heart of biblical prayer. Not “my will be done,” but “Your glory be seen.”

And God Answers, and He answers with authority…. It is powerful.

God says, in effect. “Hezekiah, I heard you and let Me tell you what’s going to happen.”

He describes Jerusalem as a “virgin daughter”, untouched, unconquered, and says she will laugh Sennacherib to scorn.

Then God turns directly to the king of Assyria. And God reminds Sennacherib: “You think your victories were your doing.” “You think your power is your own.” “You think you conquered nations by your strength.”

But God says, “I planned it. I allowed it. I ordained it…. And I will end it.”

Sennacherib thinks he’s unstoppable. God reminds him he’s a pawn.

Closing section of the chapter. 

25 ‘Did you not hear long ago

How I made it,

From ancient times, when I formed it?

Now I have brought it to pass,

That you should be

For crushing fortified cities into heaps of ruins.

26 Therefore, their inhabitants had little power;

They were dismayed and confounded;

They were as the grass of the field

And the green herb,

As the grass on the housetops

And grain is blighted before it is grown.

27 ‘But I know your dwelling place,

Your going out and your coming in,

And your rage against Me.

28 Because your rage against Me and your tumult

Have come up to My ears,

Therefore, I will put My hook in your nose

And My bridle in your lips,

And I will turn you back

By the way which you came.

29 ‘This shall be a sign to you:

‘You shall eat this year such as grows of itself,

And in the second year, what springs from the same;

Also in the third-year sow and reap,

Plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them.

30 And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah

Shall again take root downward,

And bear fruit upward.

31 For out of Jerusalem shall go a remnant,

And those who escape from Mount Zion.

The zeal of the Lord [c]of hosts will do this.’

32 “Therefore, thus says the Lord concerning the king of Assyria:

‘He shall not come into this city,

Nor shoot an arrow there,

Nor come before it with shield,

Nor build a siege mound against it.

33 By the way that he came,

By the same shall he return;

And he shall not come into this city,’

Says the Lord.

34 ‘For I will defend this city, to save it

For My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.’”

35 And it came to pass on a certain night that the [d]angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses, all dead. 36 So Sennacherib, king of Assyria, departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. 37 Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the temple of Nisroch, his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon, his son, reigned in his place.

(2 Kings 19:25–37)

Now, there’s a lot of detail in this section, but the heart of it is actually very simple.

God turns to Sennacherib — the most powerful man on earth — and says: “You think you did all this? I’m the One who allowed it.” That’s the message.

God reminds Sennacherib, who really Runs History: God says, “Did you not hear? Long ago, I ordained it.”

In other words. “You didn’t conquer those nations because you’re brilliant.” “You didn’t defeat those armies because you’re strong.” “You didn’t topple those gods because you’re mighty.” “You did it because I allowed it.”

Sennacherib thinks he’s unstoppable. God says he’s just a tool, a temporary instrument in the hands of the sovereign God.

And then God uses a vivid picture. “Those nations you conquered were like grass on the housetop — shallow‑rooted, dried out, and gone.”

In other words:

They fell because I made them fall.

Is God in control? This passage shouts the answer.

God says, “I know your dwelling place, you’re going out and your coming in, and your rage against Me.”

In other words, God says:

“I know where you live.”

“I know what you’re planning.”

“I know your threats.”

“I know your blasphemy.”

Nothing is hidden from me.

And then comes one of the most striking statements in the Old Testament. “I will put My hook in your nose and My bridle in your lips, and I will turn you back the way you came.”

This is not poetic exaggeration. Assyria literally led conquered people away with hooks in their noses, and God says, “The way you humiliated others is the way I will humiliate you.”

That’s divine justice, and that’s God defending His name.

But God then turns and speaks to Hezekiah again. “This shall be a sign to you…” And God tells him:

Year 1: You’ll eat what grows naturally.

Year 2: You’ll eat what sprouts from that.

Year 3: You’ll plant and harvest again.

Why does that matter?

Because Jerusalem is surrounded, no one can farm, no one can plant, and no one can harvest. God is saying: “You’re not going to starve, I will take care of you.”

Then He adds. “The remnant will take root downward and bear fruit upward.” Just like crops, God’s people will grow again.

Even though Sennacherib claims to have taken over 200,000 people captives, God still says, “I will restore My people. I will rebuild what was lost.”

God then gives a direct, unmistakable Promise. “He shall not come into this city.” Not even an arrow will fly over the wall. Not a shield will be raised. No siege ramp will be built. God says. “He will not touch Jerusalem.”

And then: “By the way he came, he will return.”

And why? “For I will defend this city… for My own sake and for My servant David’s sake.”

 So, Hezekiah prayed: “Lord, save us.” And God answers: “I will.”

Not because Jerusalem deserved it.

Not because Hezekiah was perfect.

But because God is faithful to His name and His covenant.

And the crisis ends overnight

Verse 35: “The angel of the LORD went out and killed 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians.”

One night.

One angel.

One decisive act of God.

When the people woke up, the army that terrified them was gone.

Herodotus, the ancient historian, says a plague swept through the Assyrian camp. Whether God used a plague or acted supernaturally,

The result is the same: God delivered His people.

And then the final scene:

Sennacherib returns home, exactly as God said, and while worshiping in the temple of his god, two of his sons assassinate him.

Just as God said: “You will die by the sword.”

The Lesson for Us.

The principle is timeless:

When you’re in a crisis, God needs to hear from you, and you need to hear from God.

That’s the whole chapter in one sentence.

Hezekiah talked to the Lord, and the Lord talked to Hezekiah.

And that’s what you and I must do.

When you face a crisis, big or small, here are the two essentials:

1. Talk to the Lord.

Pour out your heart.

Spread the crisis before Him.

Tell Him everything.

2. Listen to the Lord.

And how do you do that? Primarily through Scripture.

God has already spoken, and He has written you a letter…. It’s called the Bible.

And when you’re in a crisis, you need to know what He says.

And if you look in the Bible, there are many things God wants to say to 

Three things God always says in a crisis, which you hear again and again in Scripture, are:

1.     “Do not fear.”

That’s the first thing God told Hezekiah.

It’s the first thing God tells you.

Philippians 4:6–7 says: “Be anxious for nothing… but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God…”

And what happens?

“…the peace of God will guard your heart and mind.”

When you’re in a crisis, fear is the first enemy you must defeat.

And God gives you the weapon.

When you’re in a crisis, God needs to hear from you.

And you need to hear from God.

Everything else flows from that.

2. God’s Second Word in a Crisis: “I am in control.”

That’s what Hezekiah prayed: “You made heaven and earth.” And that’s what God affirmed: “I ordained it. I planned it. I brought it to pass.”

In other words:

“This crisis is not bigger than Me.”

You may not understand it.

You may not like it.

You may not see the end of it.

But God is not confused or surprised and God is not outmanoeuvred.

He is in control.

3. God’s Third Word in a Crisis: “I will take care of you.”

He told Hezekiah, “You’ll have food this year.” “You’ll have food next year.” “You’ll plant the year after that again.” “The remnant will grow again.”

“The city will not fall.”

“The enemy will not enter.”

“I will defend this city.”

And then, in just one night, God wiped out 185,000 soldiers.

Hezekiah didn’t lift a sword. He didn’t fire an arrow. He didn’t even build a wall…. God did it.

And Sennacherib went home and died exactly as God said he would.

So let me leave you with those three things — three truths you must cling to when the bottom falls out:

1. Do not fear.

2. God is in control.

3. God will take care of you.

Maybe by delivering you.

A Final Word.

Some of you listening today are in the middle of something that feels impossible.

You’re overwhelmed.

You’re exhausted.

You’re afraid.

Let me say this gently but firmly:

Talk to the Lord. And then listen to the Lord.

Open your Bible. Open your heart. Open your hands. And say….

“Lord, here is the letter.

Here is the crisis.

Here is the fear.

You are God.

You are in control.

You will take care of me.”

And He will.