Facing Adversity

What do you do in a crisis? What do you do when everything’s going wrong? What do you do when you feel you’re being battered from all sides? I guess we all have or will experience situations like this in our lives. When this happens we can draw strength and encouragement from the way Hezekiah faced adversity.

Hezekiah must have felt pretty desperate when he heard that the mighty Assyrian army was advancing to attack him. They were, after all, the world super power of the day. They overcame with ease all who opposed them and Israel was only a small nation. However, he didn’t become depressed, despondent and passive. He didn’t become intimidated and meekly surrender in the face of powerful opposition. No – he became active and made some sensible and practical decisions.

Hezekiah wasn’t going to make it easy for his enemy. He blocked up the wells so that the invading army wouldn’t have supplies of fresh water to live on. He strengthened the defences and repaired the walls of the city. He set his blacksmiths to prepare weapons of warfare. He did what he could do, but he didn’t take his eyes off God. Scripture tells us he encouraged his men by reminding them that God would be with Israel.

So if you’re facing a crisis and feel that you’re in a spiritual battle, ask yourself first of all if you need to take any action. Are you being negative or positive in your thinking? Are you making it easy for the enemy to defeat you? Are you giving the enemy food and water to live on, or do you need to block up some wells? Are there any broken down walls that you need to repair, through repentance and forgiveness?

Secondly, as you resist and stand against the enemy, remember whose side you’re on. Be strong and courageous. Encourage yourself as Hezekiah did. Remind yourself that ‘with you is the LORD your God to help you and to fight your battles.’.

Prayer: Lord I’m so grateful that, in the midst of turmoil, I can look to You for help. Help me, Lord, not to presume that You will sort things out for me, but show me if there’s anything I must do, in order that You can act in my situation .In Jesus’ Name, Amen.