There were two kings of Judah who began leading at age 25. They both guided Israel for nearly 30 years. They ruled during the civil war era, after Rehoboam’s poor leadership caused the tribes of Benjamin and Judah to move south and create the nation of Judah. These were tough times. Amaziah and Hezekiah faced a major spiritual dilemma of bringing the people back to a place of right living before the Lord! They also faced what appeared to be insurmountable odds against an opposing army.
Amaziah pulled his best war strategies together, along with a rallying national cry and amassed an army of 300,000 Jews. He proceeded to hire an additional 100,000 mercenaries. Hezekiah received a threatening letter from Sennacherib (the Assyrian King) reporting that nine previous nations had succumbed to his destructive army. His response? Head into the prayer chamber, lay the threatening letter before the Lord and ask for help. That night, God slew 185,000 Assyrians and routed them before Hezekiah’s eyes! Amaziah, however, was confronted by a prophet who proclaimed that God would not fight on his side, since he had not consulted with the Lord. It was said about him that “he followed the Lord, but not wholeheartedly!” (2 Chronicles 25)
Life will offer many solutions. Even the most “researched” and “reasonable” answers may not be the right ones! “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.” -Psalm 37:3 (NKJV)
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By: Glenn Burris Jr., general supervisor
