“The king of Assyria sent his supreme commander, his chief officer and his field commander with a large army, from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. They came up to Jerusalem and stopped at the aqueduct of the Upper Pool, on the road to the Washerman’s Field. 18 They called for the king; and Eliakim son of Hilkiah the palace administrator, Shebna the secretary, and Joah son of Asaph the recorder went out to them. 19 The field commander said to them, “Tell Hezekiah: “‘This is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: On what are you basing this confidence of yours?” 2 Kings 17:17-19 NIV
“Then Eliakim son of Hilkiah, and Shebna and Joah said to the field commander, “Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, since we understand it. Don’t speak to us in Hebrew in the hearing of the people on the wall.” 27 But the commander replied, “Was it only to your master and you that my master sent me to say these things, and not to the people sitting on the wall—who, like you, will have to eat their own excrement and drink their own urine?” 28 Then the commander stood and called out in Hebrew, “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria! 29 This is what the king says: Do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He cannot deliver you from my hand.” 2 Kings 18:26-29 NIV
Our Great King,
It does not always get better straight away, sometimes it gets worse and words are like arrows. I love the detail of stopping at the Washerman’s field. Very precise and a public place. Officials from Assyria and Judah could converse efficiently in Aramaic. Hebrew was the local language of the Israelites and not as widely employed. But Rabshakeh’s uses it so he could instill fear directly on all all the people
Sometimes so many things go wrong and all at the same time we cope better because we do not try to fix them all ourself and we turn to You. We see the enemies tactics speaking in the situation. You cannot stop this, you cannot win . . .and like Hezekiah we know immediately we cannot but who can . . . You, O Lord our help and deliverer.
Hezekiah’s prayer (2 Kings 19:14-19) puts it all into Your hands, the living God, and asks for rescue so they can give testimony to Your deliverance.” And You do. Isaiah prophesies it in chapter 37:21-35 and we read it in 2 Chronicles 32:20-23.
How many times have we too felt cornered by troubles and found relief and a way through by calling out and trusting in You. Help us not to be blinded by situations but keep our eyes focused on You.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 31st July 2025
I was reminded of this simple chorus and prayer as I wrote the last line above.
Focus My Eyes On You Oh Lord,
Focus My Eyes On You
To Worship In Spirit And In Truth
Focus My Eyes On You
Turn Round My Life To You, Oh Lord
Turn Round My Life To You
To Know From This Night You’ve Made Me New
Turn Round My Life To You
Fill Up My Heart With Praise, Oh Lord
Fill Up My Heart With Praise
To Speak Of Your Love In Every Place
Fill Up My Heart With Praise
Lyrics: Ian White