The Resource of a Good Man in Times of Trouble

Devotional

Day 1: Turning to God as Our First Resource in Trouble

When life’s challenges seem insurmountable and every earthly resource fails, the example of King Hezekiah reminds us that our first and greatest resource is always God Himself. Hezekiah, faced with a terrifying threat from the Assyrian king, did not rely on alliances, his own strength, or the opinions of others. Instead, he took his fears and the enemy’s letter straight to the house of the Lord, laying it before God in prayer. In our own times of distress, we are invited to do the same—run to God, not as a last resort, but as our first response. There is no shame in seeking God’s help; He welcomes us, hears us, and is able to do what no one else can. [44:39]

2 Kings 19:14-19 (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 before the Lord, and said: “O Lord, the God of Israel, who is 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 the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed. So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.”

Reflection: What is one specific fear or threat you are facing right now? Will you take it to God in prayer today, laying it honestly before Him as Hezekiah did, instead of trying to handle it on your own?

Day 2: God’s Presence and Promises in the Midst of Overwhelming Circumstances

When the enemy surrounds us and our minds are flooded with fear, God’s Word assures us that He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Even when we feel alone, overwhelmed, or tempted to despair, God promises never to leave us nor forsake us. He is not distant or indifferent to our pain; He is with us in the valley as much as on the mountain. The world may try to convince us that we are abandoned, but God’s presence is our comfort and our hope, no matter how dark the situation appears. [54:25]

Psalm 46:1-3 (ESV)
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Reflection: When you feel overwhelmed or alone, what is one way you can remind yourself of God’s presence and promises today—perhaps through a verse, a song, or a prayer?

Day 3: Worship and Praise Before the Battle Is Won

Hezekiah’s story teaches us the power of worshiping God even before we see the answer to our prayers. Instead of waiting for the victory to be visible, he praised God in the midst of uncertainty, exalting God’s greatness and trusting in His deliverance. True faith is not just about asking for help, but about glorifying God in advance, believing that He is able and willing to act on our behalf. When we choose to worship in the middle of our struggle, we shift our focus from the size of our problem to the greatness of our God, and we invite His presence and power into our situation. [01:19:05]

Acts 16:25-26 (ESV)
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are still waiting for God’s breakthrough? How can you intentionally praise and thank Him today, even before you see the answer?

Day 4: Refusing to Let Fear or the Enemy’s Lies Define Us

The enemy will always try to intimidate us, whispering lies that God cannot help us or that our situation is hopeless. But faith refuses to let fear win. Like Hezekiah, we must remind ourselves of who God is and what He has done, refusing to let the threats or negativity of the world define our reality. Even when our hands are trembling, we can choose to trust God’s character and promises, knowing that He is able to deliver and defend us. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in the living God who has never lost a battle. [01:13:24]

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Reflection: What negative thought or lie from the enemy do you need to reject today? What truth about God will you declare over your situation instead?

Day 5: Laying Our Burdens on the Altar and Trusting God for Deliverance

There comes a time when we must stop carrying the enemy’s threats and burdens ourselves and, like Hezekiah, lay them on the altar before God. This act of surrender is not weakness, but faith in action—trusting that God sees, cares, and is able to deliver. Whether the threat is against our family, our health, our mind, or our future, God invites us to bring it to Him, believing that He will fight for us. We are called to let go of self-pity, fear, and striving, and instead claim victory in Jesus’ name, knowing that He is our resource and our deliverer. [01:28:54]

1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Reflection: What “letter from the enemy” or burden have you been holding onto? Will you take a moment today to physically or symbolically lay it before God, trusting Him to handle what you cannot?

Sermon Summary

In times of trouble, when every resource seems exhausted and every avenue closed, there remains a sure and steadfast hope for those who trust in God. Just as King Hezekiah faced a terrifying threat from the Assyrian empire—a threat not only to himself but to his entire nation—so too do we sometimes find ourselves surrounded by problems that seem insurmountable. Hezekiah’s response was not to collapse in fear or to seek help from unreliable sources, but to take the very letter of threat and lay it before the Lord in prayer. He acknowledged the reality of his situation, but he also exalted the greatness of God, trusting that God alone could deliver.

This is a call to move beyond simply attending church or going through the motions of faith. It is an invitation to become true disciples, to go deeper, and to build a real relationship with Jesus. When the enemy comes against us—whether through financial hardship, family struggles, or attacks on our mind and spirit—we are not left without recourse. The world may offer pity or distraction, but God offers deliverance, comfort, and victory. The challenge is not to ignore the reality of our problems, but to bring them honestly before God, trusting Him to act.

Sometimes, the threats we face are not just personal but affect those we love. The burden can feel overwhelming, and the temptation is to give in to fear or despair. Yet, even when our hands are trembling, faith calls us to lay our burdens at the altar, to pray, and to praise God before the battle is even over. God’s promise is that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The victory may not always come in the way we expect, but God is always able to deliver, to heal, and to provide.

So, whatever “letter from the enemy” you may be carrying—whatever threat, fear, or discouragement—bring it to God. Lay it on the altar. Refuse to let fear or negativity dictate your response. Instead, trust in the living God, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. Let your first response be worship, your continual action be prayer, and your confidence rest in the faithfulness of God.

Key Takeaways

1. Bring your real problems to God When faced with overwhelming threats, don’t deny or minimize the reality of your struggles. Like Hezekiah, acknowledge the seriousness of your situation, but bring it honestly before God in prayer. God is not intimidated by your problems; He invites you to lay them at His feet, trusting Him to act on your behalf. [44:39]
2. Worship and pray before the battle is over Don’t wait for deliverance to start praising God. True faith celebrates God’s faithfulness even while the outcome is uncertain. Praising God in the midst of trouble is a declaration of trust and a powerful act of spiritual warfare. It shifts your focus from fear to faith and invites God’s presence into your situation. [79:05]
3. Refuse to let fear or negativity win The enemy will always try to sow doubt, fear, and discouragement, especially when you are at your lowest. Stand firm in your identity as a child of God. Even when your hands are trembling, choose to trust God’s promises over the enemy’s threats. Faith is not the absence of fear, but the decision to trust God in spite of it. [73:24]
4. Seek godly counsel and community When you are in trouble, don’t isolate yourself or seek advice from sources that don’t honor God. Surround yourself with believers, seek spiritual leadership, and let the Word of God guide your decisions. There is safety and strength in godly counsel and in the fellowship of the church. [59:04]
5. Take action—don’t just have a pity party Crying or complaining about your problems won’t bring solutions. Take your burdens to God, seek His direction, and be willing to act in faith. Sometimes, God’s answer will require you to step out, make changes, or persevere, but He will always provide the strength and wisdom you need. [64:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[12:42] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[13:02] - Reflections on Growth and Challenges
[40:22] - Moving Beyond Checking Boxes
[43:07] - Victory Dance and Testimonies
[44:39] - Hezekiah’s Crisis: The Threatening Letter
[47:18] - The Cruelty of Assyria and Hezekiah’s Dilemma
[50:28] - The Power of Prayer in Desperation
[53:00] - Facing Overwhelming Challenges
[54:25] - God’s Presence in Our Distress
[56:53] - Running to God, Not Away
[59:04] - The Value of Godly Counsel
[61:57] - God’s Assurance: “Be Not Afraid”
[73:24] - Faith in the Face of Fear
[79:05] - Praising God Before the Victory
[82:45] - God’s Deliverance: The Angel’s Intervention
[84:55] - Applying the Lesson: Bring Your Letter to God
[87:50] - Growing Up in Faith
[97:27] - Final Worship and Encouragement
[110:10] - Offering and Announcements
[116:37] - Dismissal and Fellowship

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

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### Bible Reading

**2 Kings 19:14-19 (ESV)**
14 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.
15 And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said: “O Lord, the 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.
16 Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God.
17 Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste the nations and their lands
18 and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed.
19 So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.”

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### Observation Questions

What did Hezekiah do with the threatening letter he received from the king of Assyria? (2 Kings 19:14)
In Hezekiah’s prayer, how does he describe God and what does he ask God to do? (2 Kings 19:15-19)
According to the sermon, what resources did Hezekiah have left when he was surrounded and outmatched? [[44:39]]
What was the first thing Hezekiah did in response to the threat—did he try to solve it himself, or did he go to God? [[44:39]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Hezekiah chose to bring the letter directly to God instead of trying to solve the problem through political or military means? What does this show about his faith? [[44:39]]
The sermon says Hezekiah acknowledged the reality of his situation but still exalted God’s greatness. Why is it important to be honest about our struggles when we pray, instead of pretending everything is fine? [[01:14:55]]
The pastor mentioned that sometimes the threats we face affect not just us, but our families and communities. How does this change the way we pray or seek God’s help? [[01:09:02]]
The sermon talks about worshiping and praying before the battle is over. What does it mean to praise God even when you don’t know how things will turn out? [[01:19:05]]

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### Application Questions

The pastor asked, “How many of you right now are carrying a letter from the enemy?” What is a specific “letter” (problem, fear, or threat) you are carrying right now? What would it look like for you to lay it before God this week? [[01:24:55]]
Hezekiah didn’t ignore the seriousness of his situation, but he also didn’t let fear or negativity control him. Is there a situation in your life where you’ve been letting fear or negative thoughts take over? What would it look like to stand firm in faith instead? [[01:13:24]]
The sermon challenges us not to just “check the boxes” of faith, but to go deeper and become true disciples. Are there areas in your spiritual life where you’ve been going through the motions? What is one step you can take this week to build a real relationship with Jesus? [[40:22]]
When you face overwhelming problems, do you tend to isolate yourself or seek help from sources that don’t honor God? Who is someone in your church or faith community you could reach out to for godly counsel or prayer support? [[59:04]]
The pastor said, “Crying or complaining about your problems won’t bring solutions.” Is there a problem you’ve been stuck complaining about? What is one action you can take this week to bring it to God and look for His direction? [[01:04:00]]
The sermon encourages us to worship and pray before the battle is over. What is one way you can intentionally praise God this week, even if your situation hasn’t changed yet? [[01:19:05]]
Sometimes our struggles affect those we love. Is there a burden you are carrying for someone else (family, friend, community)? How can you bring that burden to God in prayer, and how might you invite others to pray with you? [[01:09:02]]

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Sermon Clips

If you don't know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you need to know him. Because I'm going to share with you something here this morning. In times where I have been helpless, not having the resources available to meet every need, I have learned over the years that there's one thing I can do. If I don't have enough money in my wallet, not enough money in my bank, if I don't have enough friends, if I don't have enough family, there's one thing I've learned I can do. I can pray. [00:51:19] (29 seconds) #PrayerIsPower

But there is something that you can do. You can pray. Now, I know in the world's eyes, that means nothing but to a good man, to a good woman, to those that know God. I need somebody to say amen just right there. Come on out. There is one thing you can do. You see, God is our refuge and our strength, our very present help in danger. But when you feel like the world is caving in on all on top of you, it's like a wet blanket put on top of you. And you're saying, God, I can't breathe. I can't get out, God. I need help. There's an all sin. And God knows exactly where you're living at. God knows what you're doing. [00:54:03] (47 seconds) #GodIsAlwaysWithUs

There is nothing wrong with running to God. There is no shame in running to God. Why? Because he says, come unto me, all that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. God will want you to come to him. God wants you to come to him. He will fight your battle. He will help you. [00:57:26] (17 seconds) #WorshipWithPurpose

Sometimes you got to get ugly at the altar. Come on now. Sometimes you got to get ugly at the altar. You need to pray, spend time with God. And if somebody calls you Mr. Spiritual or want to laugh at you, let them laugh. Brother, I need my miracle. I touched my body, touched my mind, touched my finances. I need a miracle, Jesus. God is our resource. [01:18:16] (26 seconds) #BelieveWhileTrembling

I need you to shout and dance before the battle's over. Don't wait for the battle to be over to start praising him. I need you to start praising him right now. Give him praise right now. Glorify his name right now. Hezekiah claimed it before it ever came to pass. God sent Isaiah back to let him know, to get out of the way, I've got this. Hezekiah began to praise the Lord. Come on out. Before there was ever one dead Assyrian, Hezekiah was always saying, thank you, Lord. Before your bills are paid, if you prayed and you meant that prayer, you ought to say, thank you, Jesus. [01:19:22] (37 seconds) #GodFightsForYou

This is a prayer of a man who still believes, even while trembling, even while trembling. I'm not going to tell you that you're going to be ashamed before God because sometimes you tremble at your battles. I know there's people that say that you ought not to be trembling. And I believe that, you know, to agree that we ought to stand firm. He's not giving the spirit of fear. I understand that. I've read that in the Word of God. But I've also gone through some things. I've also gone through some things. And so, I know for a fact that some days your hands are trembling. God, I don't want my family being put out, God. I don't want to lose our home. I don't want, God, to have this problem happen, God. God, I can't have my family homeless. I can't have my family hungry. Lord God, I need your help. But even when your hands are trembling, you still need to believe in Jesus. [01:21:15] (59 seconds) #StrengthInStruggles

Take that letter. Put it on the altar. Can anybody feel God this morning? Take that letter. Put it on the altar. And then call on the master. Oh, God, you see what he's saying in this letter. He's telling me I ought not to listen to Bible study. He's telling me I ought not to see the Spirit of God in my life. He's telling me not to seek the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Lord God, you see this letter. Now, God, in the name of your sons, who I trust in. I need you, God, to take care of this. I need you to take care of this. He's your resource. He's your help. He's your deliverer. [01:26:29] (47 seconds) #GodIsYourResource

You have resources. You've got the resource himself. He's a name above every name. We learned this morning, I can't just sit here and cry. There's a whole city depending upon me. I have to do something. I need to go to God. Come on. As a parent, take it to God this morning. [01:41:33] (27 seconds)

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