Like Hezekiah in His Day, Believers Must Take These Steps to Protect America From Evil
This isn't the first time an evil regime has tried to take over a nation, replace leaders and cut off the food and water supply. The Lord spoke to me a word from another era when a nation faced a similar attack and overcame overwhelming odds. And we can do the same. Our freedom is under attack. It is not just an attack on our nation; it is a personalized assault against our families, our cities, our states and our nation, against our core values and beliefs. If you feel overwhelmed and without hope, let me encourage you today. Here's what we can do next. In the days of King Hezekiah, the city of Jerusalem was under threat of siege—just as we are now. The evil king of Assyria had more money, more troops and a more strategic position. He had a calculated plan for takeover—just as we are watching against us today. The king wrote a letter to Hezekiah to let it be known that he fully intended to take over his kingdom. But he failed, as God intervened and defended Jerusalem against the takeover! In the natural, the Assyrian king should have easily defeated Hezekiah. But he didn't because of important steps that Hezekiah took which opened the door for a miracle. Several, in fact. These are the same steps we need to follow and implement as we face those who are intent on taking over our cities, states and nation to overthrow our freedom: 1. Hezekiah took the letter (of their threats) "and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord" (2 Kings 19:14, NASB1995). 2. Then he prayed, "O Lord, the God of Israel, who are enthroned above the cherubim. You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth" (2 Kings 19:15). He reminded himself that God was greater than those who threatened their annihilation. 3. He prayed, "Now, O Lord our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God" (2 Kings 19:19). 4. Then the Lord responded via the prophet Isaiah, "Because you have prayed to Me ... I have heard you" (2 Kings 19:20). This reminds us that God hears us when we call! He will not leave us or forsake us in our time of need. The effectual, fervent prayer of righteous men and women avails much! (See James 5:16.) 5. The Lord told Hezekiah regarding the King of Assyria, "By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come to this city. ... For I will defend this city to save it for My own sake" (2 Kings 19:33-34). When we pray, God will deliver our cities, our states and our land when we approach in the same spirit as Hezekiah did in the days of old. But also we will watch as some cities and states are delivered and some aren't. It depends on the remnant and prayer. The king of Assyria tried to cut off food and water from the city of Jerusalem. But after King Hezekiah humbled himself and prayed before the Lord, the following happened: 1. The Lord sent a spirit so that the King of Assyria heard a rumor and returned to his own land, where he was killed. 2. Despite the Assyrian king's plan to block food and water to force his evil intent, after King Hezekiah prayed, the Lord said, "This shall be the sign for you: you will eat this year what grows of itself, in the second year what springs from the same, and in the third year sow, reap, plant vineyards, and eat their fruit" (2 Kings 19:29). God provided and undid the damage of the evil that had been planned against His people. 3. "The surviving remnant ... will again take root downward and bear fruit upward" (2 Kings 19:30). The remnant of God's people who trusted in Him, prayed, and walked with Him grew in strength and number. There is a remnant of God's people who, like Hezekiah, will enter the house of the Lord, spread out the threats that have been made and intercede on behalf of our nation. As God did then, I believe He will do again as we stand fast and hold fast, for He never changes. Do we prepare for a crisis? Of course. It is foolish not to be prepared with extra food, water, etc., whether it is for a natural storm or a man-made crisis. We are to be wise as serpents but harmless as doves. The key is to not fear but to pray and know that God will deliver the remnant that remains steadfast with eyes on Him. Karen Hardin is a literary agent and writer. She is the author of Infected: How to Stop the Global Spread of Rage, Deception and Insanity and God's Justice after Injustice. Her work has been published in USA Today, the Western Journal, World Net Daily, Intercessors for America, Charisma, CBN.com and more. Click here to learn how to receive a free copy of the "How to Overcome Adverse Situations" prayer guide. Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA APP.
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