I can’t imagine being Queen. Though the thought of being royal sometimes sounds appealing, I can’t imaging being responsible for the well being of an entire country. Sometimes I struggle to be responsible for my own well being.
Right now, I’m the only person who has to live with the consequences of foolish choices I make. If I were Queen, millions would have to deal with the results of my choices. I couldn’t imagine being in that position especially if it was a life or death situation. But, I know of a guy who knew exactly how to handle those situations.
There was a man names Hezekiah who once was the King of Judah. He was king while Jerusalem was under threat from the Assyrian king. I can’t imagine being this guy. He’s in a city with millions ready for war and the Assyrian king says hand over the city to me so your people don’t die.
I imagine being on the wall of the city seeing this Army surrounding my home and assuming it’s hopeless. After all, the Assyrians just conquered countless other peoples. But Hezekiah didn’t make a decision to surrender or to fight when he heard the threats and saw the army.
Hezekiah wore sack cloth and went before the Lord in Anguish. Hezekiah cried out to God because he didn’t know what to do. Everytime Hezekiah received further threats from the Assyrian king, he took it to the Lord before doing anything else. Hezekiah cried out for help and still trust in God’s faithfulness.
God told Hezekiah he would protect Jerusalem and he did. Without even raising a finger to the Assyrians they fled. God sent his angels to do the fighting for the Israelites. Not a single arrow was launched at Jerusalem and the Assyrian king and army headed back just the way they had come.
I’m not a Queen and I pray I never am. But I do have to make tough choices and I do have to live in stressful situations and sometimes I am responsible for others. But what I know is this, I always need to take it to God first. God is faithful just as Hezekiah believed he was and God took care of the Israelites because Hezekiah sought the Lord for their well being.
It is important to follow the example of Hezekiah and seek God first. It is important to turn to him for wisdom and guidance and to turn to him in times of need. God is faithful so look to him first.
The story of Hezekiah can be found in Isaiah 37-38.
