How Could God Do That?

 

2 Chronicles 32:1 After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah.

What?  After all King Hezekiah had done to serve and honor God, even calling on Him first when the Assyrian army was threatening him and his nation,  after his actively putting his trust and faith in God, the enemy invaded. How could God allow such a thing to happen? Why would He do that?

Being faithful to God does not always mean total lack of conflict or trouble in my life.  Nor does trouble mean God is punishing me for some sin I may have committed.  

Hezekiah was a good, godly, honest king.  2 Chronicles 31:21 tells us he “did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God.”  He did not deserve the troubles that came from the king of Assyria.  So why did that trouble come his way?

As we continue the story of the Assyrian invasion, we get a glimpse of possible reasons God allowed those difficulties even though they had been loyal to God.   

Part of the reason God allowed this trouble with Sennacherib may have been to strengthen the resolve of Hezekiah and his people to trust God, to not let troubles affect their resolve to "keep on keeping on." The account of what happens tells us that "Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven" (v.26). The king had already spread out the letter from the Assyrians as he prayed for wisdom and assistance from God, but now he and Isaiah prayed again. they demonstrated resolve to continue trusting God even though it may have seemed like God was not answering their cry for help.

It also was meant to teach the Assyrians a lesson about the power of the God of Israel. Those enemies were mocking the God of Israel, and God is not to be mocked.  Later in the story we read of what happened. Verse 27 tells us: "And the Lord sent an angel, who cut off all the might warriors and commanders and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned, with shame of face to his own land."

When they were defeated without a single battle it became clear of everyone that Hezekiah’s God was obviously far greater than any other god the Assyrians had encountered.  Now not only Hezekiah and his people knew this.  Now all the surrounding nations recognized the greatness of God as well.  

 Sometimes the reason for our troubles may be more than meets the eye. It may be for more than just our ultimate spiritual benefit.

I want to be Hezekiah-like in how I face my own difficulties, and trust God to use those experiences however He can.