II Kings 19:33 By the way that he came, by the same he, shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the Lord.
Isaiah is bringing the answer to Hezekiah’s prayer to God, from God to Hezekiah. Here we come to the critical point. Sennacherib, the commander of the most powerful force on the face of the planet is about to turn around and leave by the same route that he arrived – and he will have not even a toe-hold on Jerusalem.
Hezekiah won’t have to wonder where the enemy is going next, and if they will be back, can life return to some sort of normal, can the city gates be opened, is a trick or a trap. God is providing clear insights. Sennacherib will turn and go back the way he came.
This is all still to happen. Right now the enemy is at the gates, camped around the city walls, with all their military weapons to capture cities. Nothing has physically changed. But, everything spiritually has changed, because God has spoken.
Hezekiah has gotten rid of every distraction and every false god within his power to do so. He has then thrown open the gates of the temple to re-establish praise and worship and prayer to the true King of Heaven. And he has set an example by publicly repenting of the previous condition of the kingdom and seeking God personally at His altar, and relationally through the established prophet of God. Powers that would have had the ability to destroy him and his people are brought publicly to nothing. God’s name is established as the main actor, not Hezekiah.
These are great principles for us to live by……
- Get rid of all distractions and idols.
- Commit fully to praise, worship, and prayer.
- Repent of everything that needs repentance.
- Seek God individually and corporately.
- Listen to everything God has to say.
- Give God the glory when the breakthroughs come.
- Enjoy the breakthrough with wisdom
Principle of Change 74 – relationship with God is a heart issue, not a list of actions.
Strength – Relator – go deeper with God each day, get alone with Holy Spirit and have intimate conversations, allowing Him to challenge and convict as needed.