The Heart of Hezekiah 7-21-05

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Break through the clouds of my heart catch me up in the spirit of prayer with You now, I pray. ... As we draw near to You, to seek Your face and listen for Your voice, sometimes the enemy of our souls taunts us to hinder us from the gift of intimacy with You in prayer. He sends the thoughts through his messengers that we are not worthy, we are not wanted; that we have too much sin and not enough faith; that You are too busy or too distant or too holy to hear our prayers; that we are not gifted enough, not spiritual enough, not special enough. But these are the lies of the one who fears the power of the mercy and love of God, who fears the One who forgives us, and cleanses us and draws us near, as a perfect father draws his children near. The enemy of Your people taunted Hezekiah, King of Judah. He sent messengers to mock You and mock Your people, that You were powerless to deliver them and protect them from the power of their enemy. He sent his threats and declarations of destruction by letter, intended to strike fear into the hearts of Your people to stir up doubt and unbelief before the day of battle (2 Kings 18.13-37). Hezekiah humbled himself in Your sight on behalf of himself and all the people under his authority. He laid before You the written record of all the threats and lies, the condemnation of mockery, of the enemy of Your people. He called upon Your name, asking You to confront the enemy he was powerless to resist in his own power. And You answered him and comforted him, assuring him that You heard him, despite all the lies and mocking and condemnation of his enemy. Just as You promised, You defeated the enemy of Your people and delivered them out of destruction in the power and peace of Your protection (2 Kings 19.14-37). Though we have given room to the enemy of our souls by the sins and doubts of our past, though our enemy taunts us and mocks us, he will not prevail if we humble ourselves before You and call upon Your name. He is defeated by the victory of the cross. "And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with Him, when He forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it" (Colossians 2.13-15). Praise You, Lord! In Jesus' name we pray, Amen. Be encouraged this day! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays To subscribe/unsubscribe please send a note to me at Messiah Ministries -- "preparing the way of the Lord" -- MessiahMin@aol.com Our mailing address: 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502. God bless you!