ESOCS Devotional 20 October 2025 – Trusting in the Power of His Might
MEMORY VERSE: “Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent word to Hezekiah, saying, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: ‘Because you have prayed to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.’’ 2 Kings 19:20 NASB
TEXT: 2 KINGS 19:1-20
And so it was, when King Hezekiah heard it, that he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the Lord. 2 Then he sent Eliakim, who was over the household, Shebna the scribe, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz. 3 And they said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah: ‘This day is a day of trouble, and rebuke, and blasphemy; for the children have come to birth, but there is no strength to [a]bring them forth. 4 It may be that the Lord your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the Lord your God has heard. Therefore lift up your prayer for the remnant that is left.’ ”
5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 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. 7 Surely I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumor and return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.” ’ ”
8 Then the Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah, for he heard that he had departed from Lachish. 9 And the king heard concerning Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, “Look, he has come out to make war with you.” So he again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, 10 “Thus you shall speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying: ‘Do not let your God in whom you trust deceive you, saying, “Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” 11 Look! You have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands by utterly destroying them; and shall you be delivered? 12 Have the gods of the nations delivered those whom my fathers have destroyed, Gozan and Haran and Rezeph, and the people of Eden who were in Telassar? 13 Where is the king of Hamath, the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?’ ”
14 And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord, and spread it before the Lord. 15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said: “O Lord God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 16 Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. 17 Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands, 18 and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. 19 Now therefore, O Lord our God, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone.”
20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Because you have prayed to Me against Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard.’
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This passage reminds us of God’s faithfulness, power, and love for His people. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, King Hezekiah’s unwavering faith and steadfast prayer prompt divine intervention. This chapter powerfully teaches that no matter the magnitude of the problem, God can provide deliverance when His people remain faithful and trust in His providence.
Upon hearing Rabshakeh’s blasphemous words, King Hezekiah tears his clothes and seeks solace in the temple. He sends messengers to the Prophet Isaiah seeking his guidance and assistance in praying to God to protect Jerusalem.
Prophet Isaiah assures Hezekiah that God has heard their prayers and promises divine intervention. He predicts Sennacherib’s downfall, stating that he will hear a rumour, retreat, and eventually fall by the sword in his own land.
Unfazed, Sennacherib continues his campaign of terror, sending a letter to Hezekiah detailing his conquests and reasserting his intention to invade Jerusalem.
Hezekiah turns directly to God with Sennacherib’s threatening letter. He acknowledges God’s power and supremacy, humbly requests divine intervention, and pleads for God to defend His name against Assyrian blasphemy.
God responds affirmatively through Isaiah, ensuring Hezekiah of Sennacherib’s impending doom. God declares that Jerusalem will be spared, and Judah will once again prosper.
How do we relate to this story? We don’t have an army camped outside our homes. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like God is on our side. But what if we rephrase that? Maybe we should be on God’s side. If we choose Him, we choose life, prosperity, and victory over the foes in our lives. Our foes these days look less like armies of Assyrians and more like legions of demons and pain hiding in our closets.
Instead of trying to strip your temple of enough gold to pay off your enemies, trust in God to vanquish your inner foes. Let Him do what He does best and choose to be on God’s side today.
CHALLENGES
- How does this chapter inspire you to handle overwhelming situations in your life?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord, thank you for being there for me and give me the wings of faith to rise in all situations. Amen.
FURTHER READING: 2 Kings 18:20-37; Ephesians 1:13-33; 2:1-10
ESOCS Devotional 20 October 2025
