FACING THE MONSTER
«And Isaiah said to them, ’thus you shall say to your master,
’Thus says the Lord: Do not be afraid of the words which you have heard,
with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me’“
(Isaiah 37:6) .
The story is told of a village where parents warned their children not to climb to the mountain’s peak because a monster lived there. For generations, no one dared to go up there but one day a group of boys decided to confront and defeat the monster. Along the way they heard frightful noises, and half of the group turned around and went home. The rest continued on, and they discovered that the monster wasn’t so big after all, but it’s grunts intimidated them, so they all returned home except one boy who decided to capture it. As he came closer to it, the monster strangely grew smaller and smaller. The boy was filled with courage; he grabbed what was now just a small thing that he could hold in one hand, and he asked, ‘Who are you?” In a shrill voice, the little being replied ‘I am fear!‘*
The best weapons fear uses are threats, and that is what the king of Assyria used. He intimidated God’s people, and he blasphemed against God. He knew that fearful people won’t go out to battle, and if they do, it makes them easy prey for their adversaries. Fortunately, the king of Judah, Hezekiah, ordered his people not to respond, but to consult with God through the prophet (see Isaiah 36:21). Today’s verse gives us his reply.
Are you being slandered, verbally abused, humiliated, discriminated against at work, in your family, or in your church? Don’t respond to the abuse: consult with God and allow Him to resolve your case. In spite of the Assyrian verbal attacks, Hezekiah followed the advice of the prophet (see Isaia 36:21). Today’s verse gives us his reply.
Are you being slandered, verbally abused, humiliated, discriminated against at work, in your family, or in your church? Don’t respond to the abused; consult with God and allow Him to resolve your case. In spite of Assyrian verbal attacks, Hezekiah followed the advice of prophet. He and his people turned their hearts to God and waited for His divine aid. The threats did no cease immediately (see Isaiah 37:10—13). Pray and trust, even though you don’t see the answer at once; it is in God’s hands now. He heard the cries of the Jews and their Repentance; He kept His word and showed them who was in control. The arrogant King Sennacherib and 185,000 died without the Jews even raising their swords (see verses 36-38).
Read these chapters when you are insulted, persecuted, rejected, mocked, or afraid. God is just a prayer away.
He will come to your aid at the perfect time. ‘With unerring accuracy the Infinite One still keeps account with the nations. While His mercy is tendered, with calls to repentance, this account remains open; but when the figures reach a certain amount which God has fixed, the ministry of His wrath begins. The account is closed. Divine patience ceases. Mercy no longer pleads in their behalf.‘—Prophets and Kings, ch. 30, p. 364. God will vindicate His name and His honor.
- Joyce Myer, The Confident Woman (New York, NY: Faith Words, 20o6), pp. 152, 153.
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Angelica Cuate & Esteban Cortes