When The Wolf Is At The Door

When The Wolf Is At The Door

Text: 2 Chronicles 31:20-32:8 (NIV)

20 This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. 21 In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.

32     1After all that Hezekiah had so faithfully done, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, thinking to conquer them for himself. 2 When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come and that he intended to make war on Jerusalem, 3 he consulted with his officials and military staff about blocking off the water from the springs outside the city, and they helped him. 4 A large force of men assembled, and they blocked all the springs and the stream that flowed through the land. “Why should the kings a of Assyria come and find plenty of water?” they said. 5 Then he worked hard repairing all the broken sections of the wall and building towers on it. He built another wall outside that one and reinforced the supporting terraces b of the City of David. He also made large numbers of weapons and shields.

6 He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: 7 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

I.         Introduction: three pigs, one wolf (big and bad), and trusting rightly.

II.       Follow the Obedient Pattern of Faith

A.      Faithful in the sight of God

B.      Faithful in all situations

C.      Faithful with total absorption

III.     Face the Obstacles Challenging to Faith

A.      Challenged in Spite of Faithfulness

B.      Challenged with Overwhelming Forces

C.      Challenged with an intimidating record

IV.    Fight by Operating Actively in Faith

A.      Arrest Paralysis

B.      Anticipate the Enemy

C.      Assess your Weaknesses

V.      Finish by Overcoming Fear with Faith

A.      Trust in the Strength of God

B.      Trust in the Relationship with God

C.      Trust in the Participation of God

VI.    Conclusion: confidence comes with faith in true strength.

----

 a Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac king

 b Or the Millo