The Story - Chapter 16 - 2 Kings 18

Someday I pray that it could be said of me, as it was written of Hezekiah, "She trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel...She held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow Him, she kept the commands..."  Wouldn't that be a great eulogy?

Well, it is certainly refreshing to open to page 220 of The Story and read some Good News.  Finally, a king who 'gets it', a king who isn't out for personal gain and power.  How did this happen - who influenced this man, who taught him right from wrong, who instilled a pure heart into this ruler?  His mother?  Could be.

2 Kings 18:5-8 (NIV) 
"Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses. And the LORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. From watchtower to fortified city, he defeated the Philistines, as far as Gaza and its territory." 

There is value in looking back over each day we live and think about the difference we made.  Not in a boastful or prideful manner, but with a heart that longs to serve others, to point to God as the pathway to peace.  Our actions do matter.  The way we face the challenges each day brings, can influence someone else.  We are still talking about King Hezekiah today - for his ministry stood out in a world filled with deception and evil.  We are in similar times wouldn't you say?  Let's make a difference, let's stand out in a crowd.

Read 2 Kings 18 here

Listen to 2 Kings 18 here