“More with Us Than With Him”

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him” (2Chronicles 32:7).

Sennacherib, the emperor of Assyria, invaded Judah and laid siege to Jerusalem. King Hezekiah turned to fortifying the city, a very practical consideration (32:3-6) and then gave encouragement to the people: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.” 

Really? Hezekiah’s sad sack militia against the entire Assyrian army? Slippery Rock University vs. USC!

But here’s the kicker, Hezekiah went on to say, “All Sennacherib has is the flesh (human effort), but the Lord our God is with us to fight our battles” (32:7). 

Well, to make a long story short, “The LORD sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty warriors and commanders and officers in the camp of the king of Assyria So he returned with shame of face to his own land” (32:21).

Note please: “an angel.” “One angel!” Not a “horde” (32:7). Think of the old Batman comics and movies, “Bif!” “Bang!” “Pow!”  The bad guys go home with egg on their faces. 

I recall a story I heard when we lived in Texas many years ago. It seems a vicious gang of thugs had taken control of a small Texas town, whereupon the people called in the Texas Rangers—not the American League baseball team, but the legendary state militia of that day. They were told the Rangers would arrive by train the following day. 

The people gathered on the platform eagerly awaiting the arrival of the militants, when one gnarly, grizzled old Ranger swung out of the passenger car door. “One Ranger?” The mayor gasped. Well,” the old man growled. “There ain’t but one gang is there?” 

So…what dangers encircle you today? Be brave! “The Angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and He will rescue them” (Psalm 34:7). 

David Roper

8.2.17