Have you ever gotten a bad report?
Bad reports can come in different forms. Report card. Insurance claims. Doctor’s office. Credit report. Children. Investments.
As I read through the chronological Bible reading with Bev and a group of others, I read in 2 Kings 18 and 19 about King Hezekiah. The Assyrian king had advanced and took over all the fortified cities of Judah (which is the Southern Kingdom). Now he and his armies have surrounded Jerusalem. The king of Assyria sent his field commander with a report to threaten King Hezekiah and the Israelites living in Jerusalem. He told the inhabitants not to listen to King Hezekiah or their God as they would not deliver them from his hands. Another words—the King of Assyria was cocky and confident that since he was successful in conquering all the other cities that Jerusalem would fall into his hands as well.
What did King Hezekiah do with this report he received from the enemy? Did he call a board meeting with all the administrators to draft a plan? Did he call his friends for advice? No, King Hezekiah tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and went to the temple of the Lord. He went to pray and seek the Lord. He spread out the report before the Lord. He inquired of the Lord for direction on the enemy’s report. The Lord answered him and told him not to be afraid that the king of Assyria would not enter the city. The Lord handled this problem and HE sent an angel and put to death 185,000 men. Then later the king of Assyria was killed by his own sons.
Did King Hezekiah do anything to defeat his enemy? He prayed and laid it before the Lord. The Lord took care of him and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He trusted in the Lord.
What do we do when we get a bad report? Do we call our friends for advice? Do we take matters into our own hands? Or do we run and spread out the report in prayer to the Lord? Then trust in HIM for the answer.
Please understand I don’t think there is anything wrong in seeking counsel. But where is our focus? We are to seek wisdom from others. But are there times we are to seek the Lord, spread out our concerns to HIM and let HIM deal with it? Perhaps prayer should be our first response when we receive a bad report and when our situations seem hopeless. Our problems are opportunities to see the glory of our LORD!
Blessings in Christ--
Posts
10 gracious comments:
This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. I agree it is good to ask people for advice sometimes, but we should go to God first. If we would go to God first then maybe God would lead us to the right person to talk to. Great post!!!!
Amen,Amen!!
Yes I love this story in the Bible. I have been doing this with my hubby, and I have even caught the pastor like this, I always say to them did you take it to God. Now they are doing stuff at the church and I hear one of them say no lets pray, lets give it to God.. Or they Pray and whatever the problem is the solution has been right around the corner for them.
But I forget sometimes my self. So this was a great reminder.
Thanks
Have a Blessed Day
Sharon
Thank you so much for reminding me to go to Him instead of my friends! Ouch, I just got convicted... again!
Am I going to meet you at the Siesta Fiesta? Did I hear a rumor that you may be staying with us???
Much love,
Angie xoxo
Yes I have found going to friends are great, but you have to go to God first... Thank you, you are in my prayers...
Connie
GBU
Tag your it, come over to my blog and read the rules.
Love the way you put the story in your own words its ture we do need to run to the Lord in stead of friends For the Lord knows how to handle everything,
Siesta Fiesta is coming soon can't wait to meet everyone :).love,marina
Shonda,
This looks nice on paper, but if we really get, it'll rock our worlds. In fact, I have gotten a bad report, taken it to the Lord, and He has said, "I've got it handled. Don't talk to (normal intercessors) because they'll discourage you." Sure enough. The situation settled just fine, and when I mentioned it later as a praise, those same people the Lord said to avoid were furious that I had not asked for prayer. Of course, there were bigger issues the Lord pointed out, and after listening to their negative comments, I said simply, "This is why I didn't tell you." Talk about silence being deafening.
The reality is God has a strategy for victory, and sometimes that is a whole new strategy with a whole new unit, but we only know when we go to Him first.
I was just struggling with this very thing with a friend this afternoon. We feel we are enabling a mutual friend to listen to her obsess, and we concluded we would stop and ask if we could pray with her. Now to do that very thing in my own transactions as well as others. Good thoughts to put to task! Love, Annette
I was just struggling with this very thing with a friend this afternoon. We feel we are enabling a mutual friend to listen to her obsess, and we concluded we would stop and ask if we could pray with her. Now to do that very thing in my own transactions as well as others. Good thoughts to put to task! Love, Annette
Encouraging to know that when we don't share our request with men, rather we run to God first and trust Him to give us the desire of our hearts, it is okay. Thank you, Shonda.
Post a Comment