"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles." And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. After this, Sennacherib king of Assyria, who was besieging Lachish with all his forces, sent his servants to Jerusalem to Hezekiah king of Judah and to all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem, saying, "Thus says Sennacherib king of Assyria, 'On what are you trusting, that you endure the siege in Jerusalem?… Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven. And the LORD sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty warriors and commanders and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he came into the house of his god, some of his own sons struck him down there with the sword.
Sennacherib continues his diatribe and threats, pointing out all the other nations that have fallen to the Assyrians. But Hezekiah and Isaiah remained firm and the LORD, God the Almighty struck down the Assyrians and their boastful, self-sufficient King.
I need to remember this story when the Evil One tries to fill me with anxiety, with a fear of what the future is bringing. I need to let go of the anxiety of Philippians 4:6 and replace it with the peace of God through prayer and thanksgiving. The result will be a mind that can focus upon the true, the honorable, the just, the pure, the lovely, the commendable, and the excellent.
Today's readings in the Psalms:
Morning: Psalm 137
Mid-day: 119:17-24
Evening: Psalm 62
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Voices Together is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at theFellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. A weekly edition, formatted as a bi-fold insert and suitable for distribution can be downloaded at https://www.ailbe.org/resources/item/7251-2016-voices-together-weekly-format. The next edition is available by Thursday of the prior week.
