08/28/2022 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – We read about champions of the Christian faith like King Hezekiah and can wrongly assume that their lives were carefree and always blessed – unlike our own.
“Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses.” (2 Kings 18: 5-6, NIV)
As he led the kingdom, Hezekiah faced many obstacles and trials. Yet he drew closer to the Lord during his struggles, including one chapter when Jerusalem was under siege. Like Hezekiah, you will face your metaphorical ‘siege of Jerusalem’ that throws you for a loop.
This siege – a test of faith, a strained relationship, health, or financial issue – can be the greatest spiritual gift you are given because the crisis is a door to spiritual transformation. It is an opening to spiritual growth that you rarely get when things are peaceful. When life is easy, you are rarely forced to grow.
During the siege, however, we come to the end of ourselves and our resources. We surrender and rely on our heavenly father like never before. And he never fails us.
