INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 76
Psalm 76 is the final Psalm believed to be written by Asaph in relation to GOD'S GREAT VICTORY over Sennacherib and his Assyrian Army. Asaph celebrates God's great power and gives important reasons why we should TRUST GOD AND GOD ALONE; giving Him honour and thanksgiving.
"Let all the world learn from this event to stand in awe of this great God." Matthew Henry.
It was written in the time of King Hezekiah, who we know, was known to be one of the most zealous of kings, next to David, when it came to serving and keeping God's commandments. King Hezekiah was unique in his passion and trust in the Lord. This was remarkable considering he was the son of one of the worst kings of Judah - King Ahaz. But King Hezekiah also reigned under the influence and ministry of Isaiah, and this is the GREATEST VICTORY OF ALL - GOD'S GRACE IN ACTION!
We, like Hezekiah, can TRIUMPH OVER OUR PAST, and can make the right choices, by putting GOD FIRST IN OUR LIVES, and can allow Him to be our VICTOR!
"Hezekiah trusted the Lord. 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 cease to follow Him; He kept the commandments the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; He was successful in whatever he undertook." 2 Kings 18:5-7 (NIV)
HISTORY - Read 1 Kings 18 & 19; 2 Chronicles 32; Psalm 76:5-9
1. Sennacherib Threatens Jerusalem
King Hezekiah, had in the past, let King Sennacherib get to him. In the 14th Year of Hezekiah's reign, after the King of Assyria had taken seige of Samaria and was moving towards the fortified cities of Judah, King Hezekiah had given him the silver from the God's temple to keep him away. He could have fallen apart this time, as his enemy drew closer to Jerusalem, but after listening to Isaiah, a prophet of the Lord, he made the right choice - depend on the power and promises of God, and encourage his people with his faith.
At one time King Sennacherib's Field Commander attempted to shake King Hezekiah's faith and that of the people of Israel, by blaspheming God. He said:
* You lost your right to God's protection when you destroyed your altars.
* Hezekiah can't promise you God's deliverance from the Assyrians.
* God will not be able to protect you from the King of Assyria - he is greater.
These were all blaspheming lies from a proud, godless, ignorant soldier. We know that they were not true, for Hezekiah, the Israelities, and we also know, that GOD IS FAITHFUL to KEEP HIS PROMISES. He is the ONLY ONE GOD, and HE IS OMNIPRESENT - ALWAYS BY YOUR SIDE.
"But the Lord is faithful, and He will strength you and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thess 3:3
(NIV)
"One God and Father of all, who is over all and in all." Ephesians 4:6 (NIV)
"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
King Hezekiah was a man of great faith, but he was still a litte shaken by the Field Commanders words, for they were followed by an abusive letter from his enemy King Sennacherib himself. He wanted to persuade Hezekiah to surrender, but fortunately, Isaiah had encouraged him with a comforting message from the Lord.
Hezekiah made the choice to PRAY rather than RUN IN FEAR! He got down in his knees before the Lord and HIS FAITH WAS STRENGTHENED. He was then ready to STAND FIRM!
Hezekiah has become my greatest `BIBLE PRAYER PARTNER'. I love the way, that without hesitation, he immediately presented King Sennacherib's letter before God. God already knew what was in it, but by doing this, Hezekiah was acknowleding that he knew that God was stronger than his enemy's army, and that he knew God would protect the Israelites.
"Now therefore, O Lord our Lord, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone." 2 Kings 19:19 (NIV)
At one time King Sennacherib's Field Commander attempted to shake King Hezekiah's faith and that of the people of Israel, by blaspheming God. He said:
* You lost your right to God's protection when you destroyed your altars.
* Hezekiah can't promise you God's deliverance from the Assyrians.
* God will not be able to protect you from the King of Assyria - he is greater.
These were all blaspheming lies from a proud, godless, ignorant soldier. We know that they were not true, for Hezekiah, the Israelities, and we also know, that GOD IS FAITHFUL to KEEP HIS PROMISES. He is the ONLY ONE GOD, and HE IS OMNIPRESENT - ALWAYS BY YOUR SIDE.
"But the Lord is faithful, and He will strength you and protect you from the evil one." 2 Thess 3:3
(NIV)
"One God and Father of all, who is over all and in all." Ephesians 4:6 (NIV)
"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."
Psalm 16:8 (NIV)
King Hezekiah was a man of great faith, but he was still a litte shaken by the Field Commanders words, for they were followed by an abusive letter from his enemy King Sennacherib himself. He wanted to persuade Hezekiah to surrender, but fortunately, Isaiah had encouraged him with a comforting message from the Lord.
Hezekiah made the choice to PRAY rather than RUN IN FEAR! He got down in his knees before the Lord and HIS FAITH WAS STRENGTHENED. He was then ready to STAND FIRM!
Hezekiah has become my greatest `BIBLE PRAYER PARTNER'. I love the way, that without hesitation, he immediately presented King Sennacherib's letter before God. God already knew what was in it, but by doing this, Hezekiah was acknowleding that he knew that God was stronger than his enemy's army, and that he knew God would protect the Israelites.
"Now therefore, O Lord our Lord, I pray, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord God, You alone." 2 Kings 19:19 (NIV)
GOD'S ANSWERS
The answer to King Hezekiah's prayer was simple, and Isaiah had also said to him:
1. Confusion and Shame for Sennacherib and His Army
"Therefore this is what the Lord says concerning the King of Assyria: "He will not enter or shoot an arrow here. He will not come before it with shield or build a siege ramp against it. By the way that he came, he will return, he will not enter this city." declares the Lord."
2 Kings 19:32&33 (NIV)
2 Kings 19:32&33 (NIV)
The Army of Assyria was completely defeated before they entered the gates of Jerusalem. As they slept, they were killed by a plague, as an angel went over them. King Sennacherib himself fled and returned to his home town. He was later killed by his own sons.
"The stouthearted were plundered, they sunk into their sleep and none of the mighty men have found the use of the hands." Psalm 76:5 (NIV)
"And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out and killed in the camp of the Assyrians 185,000. When the people arose early in the morning, there were corpses - all dead." 2 Kings 19:35 (NIV)
"Now it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the temple opf Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharazer struck him down with the sword." 2 Kings 19:37 (NIV)
2. Salvation for Hezekiah and His People
"For I will defend this city to save it for My Own sake, and for my servant David's sake."
2 Kings 19:34 (NIV)
"Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid. For Yahweh, my Lord, is my strength and song. He also has become my salvation. Therefore you will draw water from the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12:1 (NIV)
In saving Hezekiah and the people of Israel God want, not only to save His people, but in so doing, to see His name glorifie
ADORATION TO GOD - Read Psalm 76:1-4, 10-12
"And in that day you will day, "Praise the Lord, call upon His name; declare His deeds among the people; make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord for He has done excellent things, This is known in all the earth." Isaiah 12:4&5 (NIV)
God was well known in Judah and Jerusalem, and in our world today, for taking care of His people. We know how He saved the Israelites from their enemies, time and time again. There are many mirculous stories in the Old Testament that speak of GOD'S SALVATION. GOD IS THE CENTRE OF TRIUMPH AND VICTORIES. These have led to `immortal honour' of Israel's God.
"For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give VICTORY." Deuteronomy 20:4 (NIV)
But what about the SALVATION in the New Testament. What about the `Greatest Story Ever Told' - about when God sent His Son to die for us so that we could be SAVED. This is greatest story of GRACE IN ACTION!
"For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM." John 3:16&1" (NIV)
"For it is BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED, through faith - and this is not from yourselves - IT IS A GIFT OF GOD, not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8&9 (NIV)
Guzik, David (2020), "Psalm 76 - The Greatness of God and Man's Propler Response",
www, enduringword.com
Henry,Matthew; Manser, Martin.H, (2008), ""The New Matthew Henry Commentary", Zondervan
Lucado, Max, (2014), "Before Prayer", Thomas Nelson
Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011, Biblica, Inc.
