WHAT AN AWESOME WORD!! September 8 The Defeat of a Dreadful Foe (Part 3 of 3) “For there is a greater power with us than with him.” 2Ch_32:7 We have seen these past few days how God permitted Sennacherib to invade Judah, for the express purpose of bringing him to defeat at the hands of good King Hezekiah. We have also noted how Hezekiah did not doubt God during the invasion, but humbled himself in prayer and watched in wonder as the Lord sent an angel and destroyed Sennacherib’s army. And we saw how Sennacherib himself came to a shameful end as he sought refuge in the temple of his puny gods. Today, as we conclude our thoughts on this story, let me ask a pointed question. Isn’t this historic defeat exactly what happened to Satan at the cross? Jesus, having accomplished everything His Father sent him to do, finally goes up Calvary’s mountain to die upon an old rugged cross. And just like Sennacherib laying siege to Judah, Satan surely must have thought his moment of ultimate conquest had come. But, in the same manner that God had baited the Assyrian king into a snare from which there was no escape – so likewise was the devil drawn and quartered by Christ at the cross. And as for us, we share in Christ’s triumph over all the power of the enemy. It is now said of us as it was of Hezekiah, “So the LORD saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all others. He took care of them on every side. (see 2Ch_32:20-22). Earlier we asked how does God reward His faithful servant? What does Hezekiah get for all his gallant duty? The answer is profound – Hezekiah had the high honor of being the one king in all history who defeated the King of Assyria. You see, God set Sennacherib up for destruction by permitting him access into Hezekiah’s life. Is it possible God does the same in our lives today? Is it possible that He allows the devil access for no other reason but to bring him to ruin and an open shame? “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” (1Jn_4:4). It is no coincidence that John in the New Testament echoes the words of Hezekiah in the Old — “For there is a greater power with us than with him.” (2Ch_32:7). For the story of Sennacherib in the Old Testament is a prophetic foretelling of the story of Satan in the New. Is it possible that your faithfulness, your devotion, your service are often the occasion for the Lord to draw the devil into a trap? Could it be that we are sometimes used as “devil bait” – the means whereby the Lord lures Satan into battle, and gives us the honor of actually overcoming the wicked one. Oh how humiliating this must be to Satan, that Christ has placed His victory in the hands of school children who by faith put the devil to fright and flight! What must the hordes of hell think of their dark master now? He who once wielded such power as to shake nations, now buckles when a little girl prays! Hezekiah reassured the people with a single word of truth, “for there is a greater power with us than with him.” That is even more true for us today. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1Jn_4:4). My friend, take a new perspective on those unexpected invasions of your life; those times when darkness gathers about you even though you have long been faithful and true. Brace yourself not for battle, but for victory. A celebration is coming, for the Lord has decided to promote you for your service, and to distinguish you with a badge of honor – the defeat of a dreadful foe at your hands. James Ryle / Rylisms
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 18:41:00 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015