Sermon Reflections from Good, Right, and Faithful | Dr. Mary Holder Naegeli | August 16, 2026
Mary had a wonderful sermon this last Sunday focusing on Hezekiah. She gave us a profile of the king including the good-the bad and the ugly during his reign. She asked us to consider his time of great courage and faith and learn from his failures so we can apply them to our lives. I had a Bible teacher that taught that all the stories in the Bible are there for our edification so that we can learn how to better live our lives in alignment with God. I’m sure she got this idea from 2 Timothy 3:15-16 “ All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
What did Hezekiah do that you would consider courageous? Following a very evil king, his father Azah, that allowed the people to indulge and even led them into severe idolatry, I would think Hezekiah faced some serious backlash as he tore down the high places and altars. He bravely cleaned up the temple and reinstituted the Passover. All of these actions would have pleased God. Later he dug a tunnel to protect their water supply when Jerusalem came under siege and built up their defenses.
What did he do that we can learn from? I have a friend that says she learns better from what not to do than to do. He paid tribute to the king of Assyria and welcomed the envoys into Jerusalem, giving them a tour of the palace and riches therein. He put his trust in alliances with other countries instead of the Lord.
However, I am encouraged as in the midst of things Hezekiah saw how hopeless it was and turned to God! Sennecherib sent messengers to tell King Hezekiah and the people that their god was powerless and that they should give up as no one can defeat the king of Assyria and his armies. Hezekiah realized what was coming and his powerlessness and he called for Isaiah the prophet to inquire of God. I have no idea why Hezekiah waited so long but he did and his pride was almost his undoing. Isaiah said not to worry, God has this handled. As the messengers persisted and even brought a written letter to the king, Hezekiah took the letter in hand and went into the temple and presented it to God with a heartfelt prayer and in humility.
2 Kings 19:15-19 “ And Hezekiah prayed this prayer before the Lord: “O Lord, God of Israel, you are enthroned between the mighty cherubim! You alone are God of all the kingdoms of the earth. You alone created the heavens and the earth. 16 Bend down, O Lord, and listen! Open your eyes, O Lord, and see! Listen to Sennacherib’s words of defiance against the living God.
17 “It is true, Lord, that the kings of Assyria have destroyed all these nations. 18 And they have thrown the gods of these nations into the fire and burned them. But of course the Assyrians could destroy them! They were not gods at all—only idols of wood and stone shaped by human hands. 19 Now, O Lord our God, rescue us from his power; then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you alone, O Lord, are God.”
Hezekiah appeals to God for His name sake as Hezekiah felt the Assyrians were challenging the sovereignty and power of almighty God! (They were!) He was upset in God’s name and saw their actions as an affront to His holiness. I believe we would call this righteous indignation. He was angry and upset with their accusations towards God. When was the last time you were upset over how someone talked about God? Did you do anything? Hezekiah prayed and left it to God.
God does not need us to defend His name- He is more than capable. He destroyed the Assyrian Army and rescued His people.
What do you do when you hear discouraging news? Hezekiah was barraged with messages belittling God’s power and might. We need to do what Hezekiah did- bring the news to God. God does not want us to live in fear. He wants us confident and standing up with Him at our side. The enemy wanted to push their plan on Hezekiah and the people, but Hezekiah trusted God. God has a plan for victory-ALWAYS! God had Isaiah give him a heads up on God’s plan and it soothed and showed Hezekiah God was still sovereign. Hezekiah still needed to trust and believe in God’s plan! We can feel that same soothing an assurance when we come to God’s Word with our fears and difficulties. God will always provide.
So what did you decide about Hezekiah?
17 “It is true, Lord, that the kings of Assyria have destroyed all these nations. 18 And they have thrown the gods of these nations into the fire and burned them. But of course the Assyrians could destroy them! They were not gods at all—only idols of wood and stone shaped by human hands. 19 Now, O Lord our God, rescue us from his power; then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you alone, O Lord, are God.”
Hezekiah appeals to God for His name sake as Hezekiah felt the Assyrians were challenging the sovereignty and power of almighty God! (They were!) He was upset in God’s name and saw their actions as an affront to His holiness. I believe we would call this righteous indignation. He was angry and upset with their accusations towards God. When was the last time you were upset over how someone talked about God? Did you do anything? Hezekiah prayed and left it to God.
God does not need us to defend His name- He is more than capable. He destroyed the Assyrian Army and rescued His people.
What do you do when you hear discouraging news? Hezekiah was barraged with messages belittling God’s power and might. We need to do what Hezekiah did- bring the news to God. God does not want us to live in fear. He wants us confident and standing up with Him at our side. The enemy wanted to push their plan on Hezekiah and the people, but Hezekiah trusted God. God has a plan for victory-ALWAYS! God had Isaiah give him a heads up on God’s plan and it soothed and showed Hezekiah God was still sovereign. Hezekiah still needed to trust and believe in God’s plan! We can feel that same soothing an assurance when we come to God’s Word with our fears and difficulties. God will always provide.
So what did you decide about Hezekiah?
Do you see his courageous moments as a springboard to trust Him more?
Do you see his weak moments as a springboard to trust Him more?
We can do and see both. The Bible teaches us more and more about God and challenges us to step up our game in life and walk in trust with Him- More and More!
Linda
Linda
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