July 28. II Kings 18:9 - 19:37; Psalm 46, 80, 135

 

We see in our reading in the Kings that the people would be rebuked and King Hezekiah’s faith would be tried by God. Hezekiah sends a message to the king of Assyria admitting he had done wrong. He had made the mistake of having an alliance with Egypt, which went against what God commanded (II Kings 18:12) because they did not obey the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed His covenant and all that Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded; and they would neither hear nor do them.

Look closely at the question presented to Hezekiah in verse 19; “What confidence is this in which you trust?” Do we dare ask ourselves – in whom is our confidence and trust?

Psalm 80:1 tells us of God as the Shepherd of His people. A shepherd is one who wants to lead the unknowing sheep to the best pastures and guide them away from danger. He will guide His flock beside the still waters, and away from the fearful things along the way.

(Psalm 46:7) The LORD of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Notice how the same verse is repeated again in Psalm 46:11. Refuge defined is a condition of being safe or sheltered from danger or trouble.

Oh to just be still, and know that He is God… (Psalm 46:10). Could a “simple dependence” on the Good Shepherd, The One who is our refuge and strength, be our present help in trouble, and cause us to not fear?

 

(Psalm 46:1, 2a) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.

 

Our hope lies in the delivering presence of the LORD, who wants to gently shepherd His flock, even the ones that go astray.

(Psalm 80:19) Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; cause your face to shine, and we will be saved. I’m sure you noticed that this was repeated in verses 3 and 7 as well. With the troubles and afflictions we will encounter in life, our only hope is that God will bring us back to Himself.

 

(Psalm 135:3-6) Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant. For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel for His special treasure. For I know that the LORD is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the LORD pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in the deep places.

 

So what could it look like if our continual dependence was simply on the Lord who is our refuge, and the conqueror of the nations? Our Shepherd simply longs for us to depend completely on Him… Praise the LORD!