Faithfulness and Deliverance
Scripture Reading — 2 Kings 18:1-8
Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah. . . .
After the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah (1 Kings 12), the descendants of David ruled over Judah. Hezekiah was one of them, and he was faithful to God and delivered the people from their enemies.
After becoming king at the age of 25, Hezekiah set about reforming the temple and calling the people to faithfully follow the Lord. He destroyed the idols and the altars of false gods. He held fast to God, trusted him, and followed him throughout his 29-year reign.
Hezekiah was tough in adversity too. Threatened by the overwhelming Assyrian army under Sennacherib, Hezekiah trusted in God for astonishing deliverance. Hezekiah prayed honestly and earnestly for God’s help, and that night God’s victory over the arrogant, brutal Assyrians was complete (2 Kings 19).
The book of Matthew reveals Hezekiah’s place in the genealogy of our Savior. Step by step, person by person, we see in figures like Hezekiah not merely examples of human faith, but much more. Ultimately we see God working out his plan of salvation, a plan that springs forward at the birth of Jesus.
Be inspired by the life of Hezekiah, but be amazed by God’s gracious plan of salvation through Jesus, whose birth we celebrate and whose return we long for today.
Father, as you delivered Judah long ago, so you have delivered us from sin and death. Help us now to live in faith and obedience to you. In Christ, Amen.
About the author — Kurt Selles
Kurt Selles is the director of ReFrame Ministries and serves as the Executive Editor of Today. He is a graduate of Calvin College and Seminary, and received his PhD from Vanderbilt University. Before coming to ReFrame, he served 19 years in Taiwan and China with CRC World Missions. Kurt later taught missions at Beeson Divinity School, where he also acted as the director of the school’s Global Center. Kurt and his wife, Vicki, reside in Grand Rapids and have three adult children.
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