Faith Over Family: Hezekiah's Journey of Renewal
Summary
This morning, as the rain fell and we gathered under a leaky roof covered by a tarp, I was reminded of God’s faithfulness and the beautiful spirit of our church family. Even in the midst of inconvenience, there is a sense of gratitude and anticipation for what God will do next. Today, we continued our journey through prayer by looking at the life of Hezekiah, a king who faced overwhelming challenges—political upheaval, a dysfunctional family, and a nation that had largely abandoned faith in God.
Hezekiah’s story is a powerful reminder that our family history does not define our faith. Despite coming from a lineage marked by idolatry and evil—his father Ahaz was one of the most wicked kings in Judah’s history—Hezekiah chose a different path. He reopened the temple, restored worship, and led the people back to God. This act of returning to true worship had a ripple effect: the people themselves began to remove idols from their lives, and generosity and joy flourished in the community.
But as often happens, spiritual renewal was met with fierce opposition. The Assyrian army, led by a cunning commander, besieged Jerusalem and tried to undermine Hezekiah’s trust in God by sowing doubt and twisting the truth. The enemy’s tactics were familiar: don’t trust your counselors, your allies, your own strength, or even your God. In the face of this, Hezekiah responded not with panic, but with prayer. He took the enemy’s threats and laid them before God in the temple, acknowledging God’s sovereignty, confessing the reality of the situation, and asking for deliverance—not for his own glory, but so that all nations would know the Lord is the only true God.
Hezekiah’s prayer models a pattern for us: begin with reverence and awe for who God is, humbly admit the truth of our circumstances, and ask God to act for His glory. Whether we are facing family dysfunction, personal struggles, or spiritual attacks, we are invited to bring everything before the Lord, trusting that He hears and acts on behalf of His people. Our faith is not defined by our past or our circumstances, but by our willingness to trust and worship the living God, even when under fire.
Key Takeaways
- Your family’s past does not determine your spiritual future. Hezekiah came from a lineage of deep dysfunction and evil, yet he chose to break the cycle and pursue God wholeheartedly. No matter what your background is, you can set a new direction for your life by anchoring your faith in God rather than your family history. [10:47]
- True worship transforms lives and communities. When Hezekiah restored worship, it wasn’t just a religious ritual—it led to genuine repentance, joyful giving, and the removal of idols. When our hearts are centered on God, the things that once held us captive lose their power, and our lives begin to reflect God’s generosity and holiness. [15:53]
- Spiritual renewal often attracts spiritual opposition. As soon as Hezekiah and the people turned back to God, the enemy intensified his attacks, using lies, half-truths, and intimidation. Expect resistance when you pursue God, but remember that the enemy’s power is limited and his tactics are predictable. [17:14]
- Prayer in crisis begins with acknowledging God’s greatness. Hezekiah’s prayer started with a deep sense of awe and reverence for God’s sovereignty and creative power. When we approach God with humility and respect, recognizing who He is, our perspective on our problems shifts, and our faith is strengthened. [26:22]
- Honest confession and God-centered requests are essential in prayer. Hezekiah admitted the truth of the enemy’s accusations but refused to let them define him. He asked God to act, not for his own reputation, but so that God’s name would be glorified among the nations. Our prayers should move beyond self-interest to a desire for God’s glory to be revealed through our lives. [31:21]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:40] - Rain, Roof, and Gratitude
[02:26] - Introducing Hezekiah’s Story
[03:24] - Hezekiah’s Dysfunctional Family
[04:44] - Faith Under Fire
[05:20] - The Wickedness of King Ahaz
[07:36] - Consequences of Ahaz’s Actions
[09:11] - Desecration of the Temple
[10:47] - Family History vs. Personal Faith
[12:41] - Hezekiah Restores Worship
[15:53] - The Power of True Worship
[17:14] - The Enemy’s Attack
[19:28] - The Assyrian Commander’s Tactics
[22:02] - Twisting God’s Word
[22:57] - Hezekiah’s Pattern of Prayer
[26:22] - Reverence and Humility in Prayer
[31:21] - Honest Confession and God’s Glory
[34:53] - Closing Prayer and Communion
[36:00] - Next Steps and Farewell
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Faith Under Fire – The Prayer of Hezekiah
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### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 37:14-20 (Hezekiah’s prayer in the face of crisis)
- 2 Chronicles 29:1-11, 31:1 (Hezekiah restores worship and the people remove idols)
- 2 Chronicles 28:1-8, 22-25 (Background on King Ahaz, Hezekiah’s father)
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### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Hezekiah take immediately after becoming king, and how did these actions differ from his father Ahaz? ([11:30])
2. According to Isaiah 37:14-20, what did Hezekiah do with the letter from the Assyrian commander before he prayed?
3. What was the people’s response after Hezekiah restored worship in the temple? ([12:41])
4. What specific tactics did the Assyrian commander use to try to shake Hezekiah’s faith and the faith of the people? ([19:28])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Hezekiah’s family history did not determine his faith or his choices as king? What does this suggest about the influence of our backgrounds? ([10:47])
2. How did true worship lead to transformation in the lives of the people and the community? What does this say about the power of worship beyond just singing or rituals? ([15:53])
3. The enemy used lies, half-truths, and intimidation against Hezekiah. Why do you think spiritual renewal often attracts spiritual opposition? ([17:14])
4. In Hezekiah’s prayer (Isaiah 37:14-20), why is it significant that he began with reverence for God and then honestly confessed the situation before making his request? ([26:22])
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### Application Questions
1. Hezekiah came from a deeply dysfunctional family, yet he chose a new direction. Is there anything in your family history or background that you feel has held you back spiritually? What would it look like for you to “break the cycle” and set a new direction anchored in faith? ([10:47])
2. When Hezekiah restored worship, the people responded by removing idols and giving generously. Are there “idols” (habits, priorities, distractions) in your life that you sense God is asking you to remove? What is one step you can take this week to do that? ([12:41])
3. The sermon mentioned that spiritual renewal often brings spiritual opposition. Have you ever experienced pushback or discouragement after making a spiritual commitment or change? How did you respond, and what could you do differently next time? ([17:14])
4. Hezekiah’s prayer started with acknowledging God’s greatness before bringing his needs. How does starting prayer with reverence and awe change your perspective on your problems? Try beginning your prayers this way this week—what difference does it make? ([26:22])
5. Hezekiah was honest about the reality of the enemy’s threats but didn’t let them define him. Is there a situation in your life where you need to admit the truth but also trust God for a different outcome? What would it look like to lay that situation before God in prayer? ([29:47])
6. Hezekiah asked God to act not for his own reputation, but so that God’s name would be glorified. When you pray, are your requests more focused on your own needs or on God’s glory? How can you shift your prayers to be more God-centered this week? ([31:21])
7. The church family responded to inconvenience (the leaky roof) with gratitude and anticipation for what God would do. How do you typically respond to inconvenience or unexpected challenges? What would it look like to respond with gratitude and faith instead? ([00:40])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray using Hezekiah’s pattern: begin with reverence for God, honestly confess your situation, and ask God to act for His glory. Encourage each person to lay one specific challenge before God this week.
Devotional
Day 1: Your Family’s History Doesn’t Define Your Faith
No matter what kind of family background you come from—whether it’s filled with dysfunction, pain, or even outright opposition to God—you are not bound by that legacy. Hezekiah’s father, King Ahaz, was a wicked man who led Judah into idolatry and even sacrificed his own children, yet Hezekiah chose a different path. He did not let his family’s brokenness dictate his faith or his future. You, too, can put a stake in the ground and say, “That was my family’s story, but I am beginning again with God.” Your faith is your own, and you can choose to walk in a new direction, no matter what came before. [11:30]
2 Chronicles 28:1-4 (ESV)
"Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done, but he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel. He even made metal images for the Baals, and he made offerings in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom and burned his sons as an offering, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord drove out before the people of Israel. And he sacrificed and made offerings on the high places and on the hills and under every green tree."
Reflection: Is there a pattern or legacy in your family that you need to break free from in order to follow God more fully? What is one step you can take today to begin a new spiritual legacy?
Day 2: True Worship Transforms Lives
When Hezekiah became king, the first thing he did was open the temple doors and restore worship, even though idols still filled the land. He led the people back to God, and as their hearts turned in worship, their lives changed—they repented, celebrated Passover with joy, and then, on their own, went home and destroyed their idols. When you get your worship right—when you center your heart on God alone—everything else in your life begins to align. The things that once tempted you lose their hold, and generosity, joy, and transformation follow. True worship is not just singing songs, but giving God your whole heart and letting Him be King over every part of your life. [15:53]
2 Chronicles 29:3-6, 29-31 (ESV)
"In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. He brought in the priests and the Levites and assembled them in the square on the east and said to them, 'Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place. For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord and turned their backs.' ... And when the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped. And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped. Then Hezekiah said, 'You have now consecrated yourselves to the Lord. Come near; bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the Lord.' And the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all who were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to re-center your worship on God alone, letting go of distractions or idols that have crept in?
Day 3: The Enemy Will Attack When You Pursue God
As soon as Hezekiah led the people back to God, the enemy came knocking—literally. The Assyrian army surrounded Jerusalem, and their commander used every tactic: lies, twisted truths, intimidation, and even spiritual manipulation. The enemy will always try to undermine your faith, especially when you are growing or making a stand for God. He will whisper doubts, tempt you to trust in your own strength or in others instead of God, and twist God’s words to justify compromise. Recognize these attacks for what they are, and remember that the enemy’s goal is to keep you from trusting God fully. [22:02]
Isaiah 36:4-7 (ESV)
"And the Rabshakeh said to them, 'Say to Hezekiah, "Thus says the great king, the king of Assyria: On what do you rest this trust of yours? Do you think that mere words are strategy and power for war? In whom do you now trust, that you have rebelled against me? Behold, you are trusting in Egypt, that broken reed of a staff, which will pierce the hand of any man who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. But if you say to me, ‘We trust in the Lord our God,’ is it not he whose high places and altars Hezekiah has removed, saying to Judah and to Jerusalem, ‘You shall worship before this altar’?"'"
Reflection: Where do you sense the enemy trying to undermine your trust in God right now? How can you respond with faith instead of fear or compromise?
Day 4: Lay Your Burdens Before the Lord
When Hezekiah received the enemy’s threats, he didn’t panic or try to solve it on his own. Instead, he took the letter and spread it out before God in the temple, laying the problem directly in God’s presence. He acknowledged God’s greatness, confessed the truth of the situation, and humbly asked for deliverance—not for his own glory, but so that God’s name would be honored. When you are under pressure, bring your burdens honestly to God, acknowledge who He is, and trust Him to act for His glory. This is the pattern of prayer that brings peace and invites God’s power into your situation. [26:22]
Isaiah 37:14-20 (ESV)
"Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: 'O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth. Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. So now, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone are the Lord.'"
Reflection: What is one specific burden or threat you are facing today that you need to lay out before God, trusting Him to act for His glory?
Day 5: Pray with Humility, Honesty, and a Desire for God’s Glory
Hezekiah’s prayer teaches us a pattern: begin with reverence, acknowledging God’s greatness; admit the truth of your situation, including your own failings; and ask God to act, not just for your benefit, but so that His name will be honored. Whether you are new to faith or have prayed for years, this humble, honest, God-centered approach is the heart of powerful prayer. God invites you into His presence—not because of your worthiness, but because of His grace. As you pray this way, you become a visible witness to God’s reality in the world. [32:58]
Psalm 115:1 (ESV)
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!"
Reflection: As you pray today, how can you shift your focus from your own needs to God’s glory, asking Him to work in your life in a way that points others to Him?
Quotes
When you get your worship focused and centered in on God, those things out there that tempt you, those things out there that want to lure you in, those things out there that you used to worship, they no longer have any value. And all of a sudden you start to see the value of God and you start to give Him your heart. And so you relinquish those idols and you start to say, God, you've been generous to me. I'm going to be generous to you. [00:15:55] (24 seconds)
He didn't let his family's dysfunction define his personal faith. He chose a different path. And for every one of you who are choosing a different path, we're here to help you walk in a manner worthy of him. We're here to come alongside of you. We're here to have you join us in this walk of faith that we in Colton embrace. Hezekiah. Let's go to 2 Chronicles chapter 29. [00:12:14] (33 seconds)
The very first thing he does is he says, God, this isn't from you. And he goes in front of God, and he lays it right there in front of God, kind of giving it over to God, and say, God, this is your issue. You take care of this. [00:23:42] (16 seconds)
You start to get this right, right? You start to really worship God. Things, you start to become generous with God and with your resources, right? You start to announce all those idols. And then what happens? Do -do -do -do -do -do -do -do. The enemy comes in and attacks you, right? The enemy comes in and starts whispering. Sometimes he whispers. You don't have to do that. Sometimes he screams. Sometimes he yells. Sometimes he tempts you. The enemy comes at you in multiple different ways. And that's exactly what will happen to Hezekiah. [00:17:20] (30 seconds)
And so you start to give proportionally with what God has given you, which is great because proportionally is always better than a tenth. Proportionally is always saying, you know, I've got a lot more than just a tenth. I'm going to give more than that. And then you start giving generously to the work of God and you start seeing God work. Oh, it is great. So when we get this right, the impact in our community, in our homes and in our lives is huge. [00:16:19] (26 seconds)
Hezekiah comes in and he's 25 years old, right? He's 25. His dad shut the temple doors. And what's the first thing he does? First thing he does when he becomes king, he opens the temple doors. He repairs the temple. The very first thing he does is he opens up the temple and says, hey, you know what? We've got to reestablish worship of God. And then he starts the sacrifices. Not only do they open up the temple, but hey, we're going to start all the sacrifices. And so he started to bring animals and sacrifice and say, God, we're sorry. He started to initiate the sacrificial system again, something that had been put off. And then he starts the worship service. [00:12:41] (38 seconds)
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