As I do most mornings, I opened my Bible while eating my breakfast. There is just something about a big green smoothie with a dash of Jesus that sets my day. Today I am in Isaiah 37.
The king has received a letter proclaiming his nation's impending demise from an army known for it's brutality and war-time success.
What the king does next is what speaks most to my heart.
He does not call an emergency session.
He does not demand strategies from his top warriors.
He does not surround himself with his Heads of State giving him council.
He went to God and spread the letter in front of Him.
He took that piece of paper and laid it in front of God.
All the words telling him exactly what would be done to him and in which he had no reason to doubt. He knew what that army had done to other nations.
He laid it out in front of God.
And then he prayed.
What's your letter my friend?
What do you need to bring to God?
What worry or stress or decision needs to be laid on the altar in front of God?
Follow King Hezekiah's lead.
Lay the burden on the altar and pray.
And just like the king, begin your prayer telling God of who He is.
This isn't because God needs reminding.
We do.
Telling God how great He is, places our burden where it should be - at the feet of a very big God.
May we all remember our King already conquered what it is we lay on that altar.
With 3 nails and an empty tomb He destroyed our letter.
And He stands victorious.
Today, give Him your letter.
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Isaiah 37:14-20
Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, saying, “Lord of armies, God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, Lord, and see; and listen to all the words of Sennacherib, who sent them to taunt the living God. Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the countries and their lands, and have thrown their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but only the work of human hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. But now Lord, our God, save us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God.”
