Calling out those lying enemy kings: Lessons learned from my friend Hezekiah

Last summer, I had one of those rare (for me) write-everything-you're-thinking moments. I was reading about ancient kings in the Bible. Often a kind of yawn-fest, but the story of King Hezekiah just jumped out at me.  I wrote and wrote and wrote. Too many distractions out there for me - too many what-ifs and should-ofs.  Here's a snippet... 
I hope you enjoy!

So often I've struggled with questioning God. 

I know I am sinful

and ... 

I know I am nothing without God. 

The point is, 

     He is God.

He has forgiven me and He decides when I need correction and guidance. 

Not some dumb enemy king. 

But for some reason, when that enemy starts nattering at me I listen. 

When I take my focus off of God’s word 

       or don’t pause throughout my week to hang out with Him 

then I get turned all around. 

I don’t know if it’s 90 degrees or 180 

    but I’m not heading the right way. 

Just like what happened to King Hezekiah, my ancient new friend, who was surrounded by other kings and their lies, we're surrounded by ideas and ideologies, doubts and fears. They are the ones who lie, deceive and destroy. Just like Hezekiah, they get my attention, way too easily, and way too often.

That I bother to give them an audience at all, astounding

That’s where I go wrong, and that’s where God gives me an out. 

And that’s when I love Hezekiah the most.

Sure, he was discouraged, had felt fear and maybe even abandonment by his God. 

But, in the end, none of that was true. *You really need to read the story... 

God sent a prophet, a very wise man. His name was Isaiah 

and he was sent to King Hezekiah to help clear his confused and fearful heart.

Thank you God for friends, counselors, mentors and pastors,

and for the great writers out there 

who help clear our cobwebs of faith. 

So often, what we feel or think is a trick in itself. 

My feelings and too much Kathy-thinking is a dangerous slippery path. 

Truth is what matters, 

and the truth for Hezekiah was that he served the “God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim...(He) alone is God over all the kingdoms of the earth. (He) has made heaven and earth.” 

The prophet Isaiah had heard from God. 

Isaiah obeyed and went to see the King, 

assured him that God had heard the king’s prayers,

and that God, Himself, was calling out the lying kings that surrounded Hezekiah.

So here we are. I'm calling out those lying kings in your mind and heart. If you have ever found yourself in this same struggle with the nattering ideas and accusations that fill your head, stop right now. Whether it's a 180 degree turn or a mild 90 degree shift

Focus on Him. 

Spend time with Him.

Read the Bible, 

Listen to Him, 

    and The Truth.

I'd love to hear from you ... 

*You can Read here 
II Kings 18-20 (HCSB)