Strengthening words

 “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. - 2 Chronicles 32:7-8

King Hezekiah was a good leader. He found his nation in trouble. The enemy was at the gate. There was trouble all around – and, of course, the people were afraid.

So the King addressed the people’ be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or dismayed by the king of Assyria. Don’t be put off by his mighty army. There is more for us than there is for him.

Hezekiah reminded them that while the king of Assyria had ‘the arm of flesh’ Judah had the Lord to help them and fight their battles.

And the people were strengthened by Hezekiah’s words.

These are discouraging and scary days. It seems today like the enemy is at the gate. Evil is everywhere and it would be really, really easy to get discouraged. It seems like the arm of flesh is so strong and that the multitude is so mighty that we are overwhelmed and dismayed by all the bad.

It's easy for us to get down and join in the chorus and woe and gloom. We can forget that we have hope. Not only that our victory is already secured through Jesus Christ.

Like Hezekiah our words ought to strengthen the family of God instead of weaken it. We ought to encourage, not discourage. We ought to be edifying instead destroying.

By the grace of God may you and I be strengtheners by our words and glorify God in our speech.