II Kings 19:23 By your messengers you have ridiculed the Lord. And you have said “with my many chariots I have ascended the heights of the mountains, the utmost heights of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the choicest of its junipers. I have reached its remotest parts, the finest of its forests. [NIV]
Let’s quickly remember where we are here – this is part of Isaiah’s prophetic message to Hezekiah and Judah, in response to the claims and threats of the Assyrian leaders. This word from Yahweh, through Isaiah, is in response to Hezekiah’s heartfelt prayer where he recognises that Sennacherib is not just speaking against the people of Judah, by relationship his threats and accusations were directed also at God. Hezekiah was concerned about God’s name at the heart of his prayer.
And here we see at the start of this section that the enemies’ messengers have “ridiculed the Lord”.
The word for ridicule also means to “mock”, or “deride”. And Lord in this scripture is the word “Adonai”. The plural word is singular, focusing on majesty and authority. Maybe today we would say, “you are mocking God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and deriding and reviling their supreme authority and power”.
Hezekiah hears God position the enemy, and in those moments I believe his heart was encouraged, faith was lifted, and hope blossomed. Nothing had changed in the circumstances, but he had heard from God in the matter at hand.
Oh that my prayer life would consistently reflect this, that my prayers would centre around a concern for God’s name, God’s plans and God’s presence, and that I would have ears to hear the prophetic response from heaven, and as a result battles would be won, destinies would be changed and the kingdom of heaven would be established here and now, day by day.
What about you? What is your response to this scripture today?
Principle of Change 64 – listen for God’s response after we pray
Strength – Relator –
Recognise patterns of success
Encourage others to make a difference
Look to go deeper
Assure others that you care
Take confidences seriously
One-on-one time is crucial
Reinforce trust with others