Kings and Prophets Part 8: Assyrian Invasion

Prayer: Your Communication Line in Times of Fear

The Power of Prayer in Warfare

When we face threats in life—to our families, finances, health, or futures—fear and anxiety can paralyze us. But God has given us a powerful privilege: prayer. Just as soldiers in World War II could instantly communicate with their commanding officer through a portable radio (the "handy-talkie"), we as Christians can communicate with our Lord at any moment, in any place, under any circumstance.

The most critical thing a soldier needs when facing threats is the ability to contact their commanding officer immediately. Similarly, in the "warfare" of the Christian life, what we need most in our fearful moments is to communicate with our Commander—God.

Point 1: Fearful Moments Will Come Even in Godliness

After nearly 210 years since Solomon's death, the kingdom had split into Israel (north) and Judah (south). All the northern kings were evil; many southern kings were too. God sent prophets like Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and Jeremiah to warn them, but they didn't listen.

Eventually, Assyria invaded and conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, taking the ten northern tribes into exile. They became known as the "ten lost tribes" because they were assimilated into Assyrian territory and their genealogical records were lost. Only the southern kingdom of Judah remained.

But then a godly king named Hezekiah came to power in Judah. He:

• Did what was right in God's eyes
• Trusted in the Lord
• Tore down false places of worship
• Refused to serve the king of Assyria

"He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord... the Lord was with him wherever he went out and he prospered." (2 Kings 18:3, 7)

Yet even this godly king faced an overwhelming threat. Fearful moments come to everyone—even those pursuing godliness.

Point 2: In Fearful Moments, Listen to God's Word

As Assyria conquered Judah's fortified cities, King Hezekiah grew terrified. He paid the king of Assyria a massive ransom—300 talents of silver and 30 talents of gold (about $165 million in today's currency)—stripping even the gold from the temple doors.

But it wasn't enough. The Assyrian king sent a message mocking God:

"Say to Hezekiah: Do not let Hezekiah deceive you... The Lord will surely deliver you." (2 Kings 19:10-11)

The enemy's voice was so loud that fear and anxiety consumed Hezekiah's heart.

This is when God sent a message through the prophet Isaiah:

"Do not be afraid of the words that you have heard... I will put a spirit in him, so that he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land, and I will make him fall by the sword... in his own land." (2 Kings 19:6-7)

God's promise countered the enemy's threats. When we are fearful, anxious, discouraged, or confused, we must turn down the enemy's voice and listen to God's promises.

Discerning God's Voice from Satan's Voice

The more we read Scripture, the better we can distinguish God's voice from the enemy's:

• God's voice calls you; Satan's voice rushes you
• God's voice leads you; Satan's voice pushes you
• God's voice reassures you; Satan's voice frightens you
• God's voice enlightens you; Satan's voice confuses you
• God's voice encourages you; Satan's voice discourages you
• God's voice comforts you; Satan's voice worries you
• God's voice convicts you of sin; Satan's voice condemns you

Read God's word daily. Don't rely on 40 minutes of church on Sunday alone. Wake up early, read during lunch, study at night. Build a steady diet of God's truth so that when critical moments come, you can quickly recognize what is God's voice and what is the enemy's deception.

Point 3: In Fearful Moments, Present Your Request to God Through Prayer

After hearing God's promise, Hezekiah went into the temple and prayed. As John Piper said: "Prayer is a warfare walkie-talkie, not a domestic intercom for your pleasures and your comforts."

Hezekiah's prayer teaches us three essential elements:

A. Acknowledge God's Sovereignty and Control

"Oh Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are God, you alone of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made the heavens and the earth." (2 Kings 19:15)

Hezekiah didn't rush into pleading. He first reminded his fearful, anxious heart that God is sovereign over every kingdom, ruler, and circumstance—including the Assyrian threat.

When you pray in hard times, start by acknowledging: "Lord, I know you are in complete control of this situation that terrifies me." Whether it's marriage trouble, financial stress, a child's crisis, or a health diagnosis—the living God you love completely controls it.

B. Submit Your Humble Requests to God

"Now, O Lord our God, save us from the hand of the king of Assyria, and let all the kingdoms of the earth know that you, O Lord, are God alone." (2 Kings 19:19)

Many Christians know God exists and knows what's happening, so they think, "God already knows, so why pray?" But this reasoning replaces actual prayer with mere knowledge.

Imagine a small child crying in the middle of a room while a parent sits nearby—but the child never turns to talk to the parent about what's wrong. How odd! Yet we often do this with our heavenly Father. When we actually go to God and submit our requests through prayer, something special happens: God's peace fills our hearts.

"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Don't replace knowing that God is aware with actually submitting your request to God. God commands it, and there's something powerful that occurs when we do.

C. Pray That God Will Be Glorified

Notice how Hezekiah ends:

"Save us... that all the kingdoms on earth may know that you, O Lord God, are God alone." (2 Kings 19:19)

He didn't pray, "Save us so we're happy, more comfortable, or financially stable." His grand objective was that God would be glorified—that people would see God's faithfulness.

Our prayers shouldn't center on personal comfort. God cares about our needs, but the ultimate purpose of our prayers should be that everyone witnessing our trials sees that God is real, faithful, and alive.

Point 4: God Is Faithful to Hear and Deliver Those Who Run to Him

What happened next was extraordinary:

"That night the angel of the Lord went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians. And when people arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies. And Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went home and lived at Nineveh. And as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, Adrammelech and Sharezer, his sons, struck him down with the sword." (2 Kings 19:35-37)

God was faithful to deliver Israel exactly as He promised. The king who had raged against God was turned back to Assyria, where he was later assassinated by his own sons in his own temple.

God is faithful. When you call on Him, He hears you. He delivers you from fear and anxiety. Whatever circumstance you face:

"All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Conclusion: Start Your Relationship with God Today

Perhaps you're here today feeling far from God. You see others with a relationship with Him, and you want that same connection. The reason you feel separated from God is sin.

But God, rich in mercy, sent His Son, Jesus, to this earth. He lived a perfect life, went to the cross, and took the penalty for all your sin and shame. He died, suffered for you, and rose again three days later to give you a future and hope.

"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

You don't need a special prayer or ritual. You need faith in Christ. With your heart, believe in what He did. With your mouth, confess Him as Lord. The moment you do, you are forgiven—completely, eternally.

Will you put your trust and faith in Christ today?