Trusting God in Times of Conflict and Crisis
Summary
Welcome to Victory Fellowship, where our vision is to grow in love and go in love. This morning, we explored the theme of conflict and how we respond to it, whether by fighting or fleeing. We delved into the story of King Hezekiah, who faced a dire situation with the Assyrian army led by King Sennacherib threatening Jerusalem. Hezekiah's dilemma was whether to fight or surrender, but instead, he chose to seek God fervently. This story reminds us that in our moments of crisis, we must turn to God, who is our refuge and strength.
Hezekiah's story is a powerful testament to the importance of trusting in God rather than relying on our own strength or the things of this world. When faced with overwhelming odds, Hezekiah prayed and sought God's guidance. In response, God sent the prophet Isaiah to reassure him that Jerusalem would not fall to the Assyrians. God's intervention was miraculous, as an angel struck down 185,000 Assyrian soldiers, leading to the retreat of Sennacherib. This victory inspired Hezekiah to write Psalm 46, which celebrates God's faithfulness and power.
Psalm 46 reminds us that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. It encourages us to be still and know that He is God, to stop striving and surrender to His will. This surrender is not a sign of defeat but the beginning of God's victory in our lives. We are called to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is with us in our trials and that His strength triumphs over our weaknesses.
As we reflect on Hezekiah's experience, we are reminded that God is greater than the dangers we face. He is our fortress, and we can find peace and security in Him. In our moments of darkness, we can still see Jesus, the light of the world, guiding us through. Let us surrender our worries, anxieties, and fears to God, trusting in His goodness and faithfulness.
Key Takeaways:
- In moments of crisis, like King Hezekiah, we must choose to seek God fervently rather than relying on our own strength or worldly solutions. Trusting in God as our refuge and strength allows us to experience His miraculous intervention in our lives. [25:04]
- Psalm 46 teaches us to be still and know that God is with us. This stillness is not about inactivity but about surrendering our control and trusting in God's sovereignty. It is in this surrender that we find peace and strength. [47:43]
- God's presence is our source of security and strength. Even when we feel alone or abandoned, we can trust that God is with us, working in our circumstances for His glory. His strength triumphs over our weaknesses. [43:55]
- The story of Hezekiah reminds us that surrendering to God is not defeat but the beginning of His victory in our lives. By trusting in God's promises, we can experience His peace, provision, and protection. [52:10]
- In our darkest moments, we can still see Jesus, the light of the world. He is faithful and good, guiding us through our trials and reminding us of His presence and power. Let us focus on Him and trust in His promises. [45:50]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [19:26] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
- [23:03] - Personal Story: Fight or Flee
- [25:04] - King Hezekiah's Dilemma
- [27:58] - Assyrian Threat and Hezekiah's Response
- [30:48] - Hezekiah's Prayer and God's Promise
- [33:09] - God's Intervention and Victory
- [35:06] - Psalm 46: Hezekiah's Praise
- [36:58] - God as Our Refuge and Strength
- [39:24] - Meditation on God's Presence
- [41:25] - The River of Life and God's Presence
- [43:55] - God's Strength in Our Weakness
- [45:50] - Seeing Jesus in the Darkness
- [47:43] - Be Still and Know God
- [50:09] - Surrender as the Beginning of Victory
- [52:10] - Conclusion: Surrender to God's Glory
- [55:26] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
- [58:08] - Final Announcements and Farewell
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 2 Kings 18:20-35
- 2 Kings 19:32-37
- Psalm 46
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the message delivered by the emissary of King Sennacherib to the people of Jerusalem, and how did it challenge their faith in God? [27:58]
2. How did King Hezekiah respond to the threat from the Assyrian army, and what role did the prophet Isaiah play in this situation? [30:48]
3. What miraculous event occurred that led to the retreat of the Assyrian army, and how did it demonstrate God's intervention? [33:09]
4. In Psalm 46, what imagery does Hezekiah use to describe God's presence and protection, and what does the term "Selah" signify in this context? [35:06]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the story of King Hezekiah illustrate the importance of seeking God's guidance in times of crisis rather than relying on one's own strength? [25:04]
2. What does the phrase "Be still and know that I am God" from Psalm 46 suggest about the nature of surrender and trust in God's sovereignty? [47:43]
3. In what ways does the story of Hezekiah and the Assyrian threat challenge the belief that surrendering to God is a sign of weakness? [52:10]
4. How does the imagery of God as a "refuge and strength" in Psalm 46 provide comfort and assurance to believers facing their own trials? [36:58]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent crisis or difficult situation in your life. How did you respond, and what might it look like to seek God's guidance more fervently in similar situations? [25:04]
2. Consider the areas of your life where you are striving for control. How can you practice being still and surrendering these areas to God this week? [47:43]
3. Identify a specific fear or anxiety you are currently facing. How can the assurance of God's presence and strength, as described in Psalm 46, help you address this fear? [36:58]
4. Think about a time when you felt alone or abandoned. How can the reminder of God's constant presence, even in darkness, change your perspective on such experiences? [45:50]
5. In what ways can you incorporate the practice of pausing and reflecting (Selah) into your daily routine to deepen your relationship with God? [39:24]
6. How can you encourage others in your community to trust in God's promises and find peace in His presence during their own trials? [43:55]
7. What practical steps can you take to surrender your worries and anxieties to God, trusting in His goodness and faithfulness? [52:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Seeking God in Crisis
In moments of crisis, it is easy to rely on our own strength or seek worldly solutions. However, the story of King Hezekiah teaches us the importance of fervently seeking God instead. When faced with the threat of the Assyrian army, Hezekiah chose to turn to God in prayer rather than surrender or fight on his own. This act of faith led to a miraculous intervention, demonstrating that God is our refuge and strength. By trusting in Him, we can experience His power and guidance in our lives. [25:04]
2 Chronicles 32:20-21 (ESV): "Then Hezekiah the king and Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, prayed because of this and cried to heaven. And the Lord sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty warriors and commanders and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land."
Reflection: In what current situation are you tempted to rely on your own strength? How can you intentionally seek God’s guidance and intervention today?
Day 2: The Power of Stillness
Psalm 46 encourages us to "be still and know that He is God." This stillness is not about inactivity but about surrendering our control and trusting in God's sovereignty. In the midst of chaos, it is an invitation to pause, reflect, and recognize God's presence and power. By surrendering our worries and anxieties to Him, we find peace and strength. This act of stillness allows us to experience God's faithfulness and His ability to work in our lives beyond our understanding. [47:43]
Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to be still and trust God? How can you practice stillness and surrender in that area today?
Day 3: God’s Presence as Our Security
Even when we feel alone or abandoned, God’s presence is our source of security and strength. He is with us in our trials, working in our circumstances for His glory. The story of Hezekiah reminds us that God’s strength triumphs over our weaknesses. By trusting in His promises, we can find peace and assurance, knowing that He is actively involved in our lives. This trust allows us to experience His provision and protection, even in the most challenging times. [43:55]
Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV): "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"
Reflection: When have you felt alone or abandoned? How can you remind yourself of God’s presence and strength in those moments?
Day 4: Surrender as the Beginning of Victory
Surrendering to God is not a sign of defeat but the beginning of His victory in our lives. The story of Hezekiah illustrates that by trusting in God’s promises, we can experience His peace, provision, and protection. Surrendering our control allows God to work in ways that we cannot imagine, leading to outcomes that glorify Him. This act of faith opens the door to His miraculous intervention and the fulfillment of His purposes in our lives. [52:10]
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to surrender to God? What steps can you take to begin surrendering that area to Him today?
Day 5: Seeing Jesus in the Darkness
In our darkest moments, we can still see Jesus, the light of the world. He is faithful and good, guiding us through our trials and reminding us of His presence and power. By focusing on Him, we can trust in His promises and find hope even in the midst of despair. This focus on Jesus allows us to experience His peace and strength, knowing that He is with us and will lead us through any challenge we face. [45:50]
John 8:12 (ESV): "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you focus on Jesus during your darkest moments? How can you remind yourself of His presence and promises when you feel overwhelmed?
Quotes
"King Hezekiah was Judah's last remaining political leader. And Jerusalem was the final stronghold of the kingdom of Judah. Now, after defeating the surrounding regions, King Sennacherib sent an emissary to King Hezekiah with this message. Now, I want you to imagine, just think, what it would be like. You're hiding behind the fortified walls of Jerusalem. You hear of the northern kingdom being destroyed. But not only that, people are being tortured. They're being brutalized. And now, Sennacherib has defeated all the villages in the town surrounding your city that you're taking refuge in." [00:27:25] (43 seconds)
"Talk about talking trash, right? This guy's a major trash talker. He's saying, don't trust in Hezekiah, and don't trust in Hezekiah's God. Don't trust in the Lord, because Sennacherib is the greatest king of all. Look at what He's done. Even their gods, these surrounding gods, have stood up to Him, and He's defeated them. And is your God going to be any differently? Often we're confronted like that, right? We're confronted with a dire situation." [00:30:10] (30 seconds)
"So what did Hezekiah do? He prayed fervently. He sought the Lord. He asked the Lord for wisdom and deliverance for himself and his city. Easy to say, right? It takes a great amount of faith to findher. trust in the Lord. Because many times we'll take the quickest way out or the easiest way out. Many times we'll say, well, you know, I have to do this in order to survive. And many of us base our decisions on what's best for us rather than depending upon the Lord and seeking him fervently. Hezekiah was doing that. He was seeking the Lord." [00:31:48] (42 seconds)
"King Hezekiah recognizes that he needed help. He ran out of options. He would have been defeated if he confronted the Assyrian army without God's support. He didn't yield to the king's demands. See, Hezekiah understood his weakness. And remember that God is strong when he is weak. God heard Hezekiah's plea for help and answered them. And God destroyed Sennacherib's army. And King Hezekiah and Judah were delivered. God acted in a mighty and powerful way." [00:34:43] (37 seconds)
"Before the Lord's victory, Hezekiah found himself in a difficult situation, stuck between a rock and a hard place. A powerful bully was threatened to destroy him and his city. However, Hezekiah knew who to turn to for help. He didn't seek assistance from another country like Egypt. He didn't look for other gods for aid. He didn't try to summon enough courage and confidence in himself to confront this bully. No. What did he do? He sought the Lord." [00:35:59] (31 seconds)
"And what is the Lord saying to you this morning? God is greater than the dangers we face. God is greater than the dangers we face. And so the word salah means to pause and reflect. And so what I want to do right now is just kind of, if you feel comfortable, close your eyes. And I'm going to read these words to you again. And I want you to pause and reflect upon these things. And I want you to ask these questions as you hear the words of Scripture being read." [00:38:38] (29 seconds)
"Jesus promised us that he, and he said that he is the living water, that when we go to him, we will never thirsty. We will never be in thirst. We will never thirst because he is the living water. Jesus is the living water. He is the river. And wherever the river flows, life goes. And even if Jerusalem were under attack, Hezekiah said, God would not allow the city to be moved. And where is God in all this? He's right with us. God is present in" [00:42:31] (39 seconds)
"Do you feel alone right now? Do you feel abandoned? Do you feel like you're left all alone to deal with these things, these trials and tribulations by yourself? We want you to hear the words of Hezekiah that God is with you right now. He's with you. He's present with you in your trials. God's strength triumphs over our weakness. So go ahead and close your eyes and hear these words and really meditate upon it." [00:43:23] (33 seconds)
"In your darkness, you may not be able to see Jesus, but we can. He says we can still see Jesus in the dark. Because He is there. He is faithful and He is good. And sometimes we see Jesus best in the dark. Because nothing else is clouding our vision. Nothing else is distracting us. Nothing else is clamoring for our hearts except Jesus. Because we can focus on Him. And the gospel reminds us that no matter our circumstances," [00:45:32] (30 seconds)
"Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah. See, King Hezekiah described the battlefield after King Sennacherib's defeat. And with that, he came to the conclusion, the Lord is with us. He causes devastation to our enemies. God has our back." [00:46:45] (30 seconds)
"Do you trust him to the point where you can give him all your anxiousness, all your worry, all your worst case scenarios that you obsess about? Can you continually just give that to him knowing that the Lord is there, that he is with us, that God is our fortress, that God has acted powerfully in the past, God acts powerfully in the present, and God will act powerfully in the future, that the Lord is with us. The Lord of hosts is with us. Because he's with us, we can hold on to his promises of be still, stop striving, stop shaking, and know that I am God." [00:52:10] (41 seconds)
"I want to conclude with this, our big idea this morning. And what can we learn from Hezekiah's experience in Psalm 46? It's this, surrender. It's not defeat. It's the beginning of God's victory. Surrendering to the Lord is not defeat. It's the beginning of God's victory. Surrender to the Lord. Stop striving. Be still. Because it's the beginning of God's victory in your life." [00:52:51] (31 seconds)
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