God's Sovereignty Amid Trials
God’s Sovereignty amid Trials
2 Kings 18-21
“Have you not heard? Long ago I did it; From ancient times I Planned it. Now I have brought it to pass that you should turn fortified cities into ruinous heaps” (19:25).
When evaluating the kings of Judah, the standard was always David. Over and over again, we find the refrain that the kings either failed to live up to the example of David or were like David in their obedience to God. However, when we come to Hezekiah, we are told at the beginning of the story that Hezekiah’s obedience to God was unparalleled. Not only did he obey God, but he did the one thing that no other king of Judah did before him. He removed the high places where the people worshipped the false gods of Baal and Asherah. In 18:5-6, we see the praise of Hezekiah’s obedience: “He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. For he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses.” It would seem that Hezekiah matched or surpassed the faith and obedience of David. During the first part of his reign, God blessed him with victory on the battlefield. Not only did they defeat their arch enemy, the Philistines, but they were also able to break free from the dominance of the Assyrians.
However, just when it seems as though God was blessing Hezekiah with the same prosperity that he blessed David, things suddenly turn against him. In the fourteen year of his reign, Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem and demanded tribute payment. To appease Sennacherib, Hezekiah was forced to pay a tribute by removing the silver and some gold from the temple. However, even though they paid the tribute, the armies of the Assyrians surrounded the city. They again threatened to destroy Jerusalem and carry them into exile just as they had done to the northern tribes of Israel. The threat was real, and the future seemed terrifying. Not only did they demand that Hezekiah surrender, but they even mocked God, claiming that the gods of the Assyrians were superior. While the text does not tell us the thoughts going through Hezekiah’s mind, there is no doubt that Hezekiah must have questioned God. How could God allow this adversity to come when he had obeyed faithfully?
Often in our Christian experience we believe God’s blessing is equated with freedom from adversity in life. However, as we look in scripture, we discover that the opposite is often true. God’s grace does not prevent adversity, but His grace protects us through adversity. God allowed Sennacherib to attack Judah to demonstrate his power and deliverance. In 19:19, we are reminded that God allows trials so that he might manifest his power in our lives, so that others will know that he alone is God.” Everything that happens in the world is governed by a sovereign God (19:25). This was true for Judah; it is also true in our lives. God controls all the events that happen, and he orchestrates these events so that he might be glorified in our lives. God allows adversity (such as cancer) to happen in our lives so that he might fully display his power and grace in us, so that people might recognize his sovereign control. When we encounter these issues, we can rest in the promise that his grace is still at work in and through our lives so that others might come to know Christ.
2 Kings 18-21
“Have you not heard? Long ago I did it; From ancient times I Planned it. Now I have brought it to pass that you should turn fortified cities into ruinous heaps” (19:25).
When evaluating the kings of Judah, the standard was always David. Over and over again, we find the refrain that the kings either failed to live up to the example of David or were like David in their obedience to God. However, when we come to Hezekiah, we are told at the beginning of the story that Hezekiah’s obedience to God was unparalleled. Not only did he obey God, but he did the one thing that no other king of Judah did before him. He removed the high places where the people worshipped the false gods of Baal and Asherah. In 18:5-6, we see the praise of Hezekiah’s obedience: “He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. For he clung to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord had commanded Moses.” It would seem that Hezekiah matched or surpassed the faith and obedience of David. During the first part of his reign, God blessed him with victory on the battlefield. Not only did they defeat their arch enemy, the Philistines, but they were also able to break free from the dominance of the Assyrians.
However, just when it seems as though God was blessing Hezekiah with the same prosperity that he blessed David, things suddenly turn against him. In the fourteen year of his reign, Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem and demanded tribute payment. To appease Sennacherib, Hezekiah was forced to pay a tribute by removing the silver and some gold from the temple. However, even though they paid the tribute, the armies of the Assyrians surrounded the city. They again threatened to destroy Jerusalem and carry them into exile just as they had done to the northern tribes of Israel. The threat was real, and the future seemed terrifying. Not only did they demand that Hezekiah surrender, but they even mocked God, claiming that the gods of the Assyrians were superior. While the text does not tell us the thoughts going through Hezekiah’s mind, there is no doubt that Hezekiah must have questioned God. How could God allow this adversity to come when he had obeyed faithfully?
Often in our Christian experience we believe God’s blessing is equated with freedom from adversity in life. However, as we look in scripture, we discover that the opposite is often true. God’s grace does not prevent adversity, but His grace protects us through adversity. God allowed Sennacherib to attack Judah to demonstrate his power and deliverance. In 19:19, we are reminded that God allows trials so that he might manifest his power in our lives, so that others will know that he alone is God.” Everything that happens in the world is governed by a sovereign God (19:25). This was true for Judah; it is also true in our lives. God controls all the events that happen, and he orchestrates these events so that he might be glorified in our lives. God allows adversity (such as cancer) to happen in our lives so that he might fully display his power and grace in us, so that people might recognize his sovereign control. When we encounter these issues, we can rest in the promise that his grace is still at work in and through our lives so that others might come to know Christ.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Who do we listen to?God's Patience and the Certainty of JudgmentThe Present Implications of the FutureAcknoweldgement, Confession, and ForgivenessThe Mark of a Genuine DiscipleThe Unchanging WordThe Lost ARt of DiscernmentA Life that Pleases GodThe Subtle Danger of Spiritual PrideContending for the FaithThe Judgement of False TeachersKeep Our Faith in a Fallen WorldSecurity in a Insecure WorldThe God who Controls HistoryThe Terrifying Majesty of ChristThe Majesty of GodThe Praise of God's JusticeHaving Right Priorities in Life
February
The Autobiography of GodThe God who CreatesThe God who RecreatesThe God Who Gives Us SignificanceThe Blessing of God's PlansTrusting in the Timing and Plan of GodThe God who ProvidesGod's Sovereignty and GraceThe King of Self or the King of KingsThe Exclusive Worship of GodHas God Forgotten?The Wonder of God's Plan and TimingGod's Sovereignty and Forgiveness
March
When Life and Faith Do Not AlignThe Jealousy of GodThe Judgment and Delieverance of GodGod's Provision, Presence and ProclamationSalvation and TransformationA Dwelling for GodThe Righteous and Loving GodPreparing for God's PresenceThe Requirements of a Holy GodThe Sacrifices and ChristThe Holiness of God and the Uncleanness of HumanityPrioritizing GodThe Severity and Grace of HolinessGod's Blessings and DisciplineAproaching God on His Terms
April
A Call to HolinessOpportunity or FailurePride and HumilityA Talking Donkey and a Prophetic JackassTransitions and EmpowermentThe God of JusticeThe Danger of Spiritual ForgetfulnessObedience and the Danger of ComplacencyThe Most Important DecisionThe Test of a ProphetHOLINESS AS A WAY OF LIFEThe ChoiceThe Faithfulness of God and the Fickleness of Man
May
Fear and FaithVictory and DefeatThe Justice and Mercy of GodThe Long Term Consequences of Incomplete ObedienceThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyMan's Fickleness and God's FaithfulnessGod's Power on DisplayUnlikely HeroesThe Danger of Self-delusionThe Grace and Holiness of godThe Danger of Cultural AccommodationThe Failure of Disobedience20/20 Spiritual VisionWhenn Life Does Not Go as PlannedFaith, Fear, and Divine ProtectionGod's Sovereignty and Humanh FrailtyA Lesson in God's Holiness and Grace
June
Sin, Consequences, and ForgivenessWhen Life Turns DarkThe Power of GraceKeys for Successful LivingA Temple Worthy of GodThe Danger of ComplacencyFear and Faith in a Chaotic WorldSeeking Only What We Want To HearGod's Power on DisplayHow to Change a NationThe Danger of the "High Places"God's Sovereignty Amid Trials
2024
January
The Coming JudgmentThat is My KingThe Certainty of Christ's WordsThe Uncertain CertaintyThe Importance of Spiritual PreparednessThe Danger of Spiritual ComplacencyChrist's Measure of SuccessThe Unpopular TopicRejection, Confusion, Betrayal, and WorshipBetrayal and RedemptionThe Inexplicable Act of LoveBetrayal, Bravado, and Fear
Categories
no categories
No Comments