Can you think of a time when you were on each of these two different trajectories?

Who are you trusting in REALLY?

2 Kings 17:7 (NIV) “7 They worshiped other gods” page 219 of The Story

2 Kings 17:11–12 (NIV) 11 They did wicked things that aroused the L ORD ’s anger. 12 They worshiped idols, though the L ORD had said, “You shall not do this.”

2 Kings 17:14 (NIV) 14 But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the L ORD their God. Page 220 in The Story

2 Kings 17:14 (NIV) 14 But they would not listen and were as stiff-necked as their ancestors, who did not trust in the L ORD their God.

THE number one sin from God’s perspective is NOT trusting in Him.

THE number one sin for God is when you trust anything or anyone as a higher priority than God.

Do I listen to God, or am I stiff necked like my ancestors?

2 Kings 17:18 (NIV) 18 So the L ORD was very angry with Israel and removed them from his presence. Only the tribe of Judah was left.

2 Kings 18:1 (NIV) 1 In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Hezekiah son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.

2 Kings 18:3 (NIV) 3 He did what was right in the eyes of the L ORD, just as his father David had done.

2 Kings 18:5 (NIV) 5 Hezekiah trusted in the L ORD, the God of Israel.

2 Kings 18:6 (NIV) 6 He held fast to the L ORD and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the L ORD had given Moses.

2 Kings 18:7 (NIV) 7 And the L ORD was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him. – page 221 in The Story

2 Kings 18:5 (NIV) 5 Hezekiah trusted in the L ORD, the God of Israel.

What gave this 29 year King the courage to face off? Trust in God alone.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV) 12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

2 Kings 18:28 (NIV) 28 Then the commander stood and called out in Hebrew, “Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria!

2 Kings 18:29 (NIV) 29 This is what the king says: Do not let Hezekiah deceive you. He cannot deliver you from my hand.

2 Kings 18:30 (NIV) 30 Do not let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the L ORD when he says, ‘The L ORD will surely deliver us; this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.’

2 Kings 18:32–33 (NIV) 32 Choose life and not death! “Do not listen to Hezekiah, for he is misleading you when he says, ‘The L ORD will deliver us.’ 33 Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria?

The Syrian Supreme Army commander has just compared the strength of God of Judah to the strength of the King of Assyria. What supreme arrogance.

2 Kings 19:14 (NIV) 14 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the L ORD and spread it out before the L ORD.

2 Kings 19:15 (NIV) 15 And Hezekiah prayed to the L ORD : “L ORD, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.

2 Kings 19:20 (NIV) 20 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the L ORD, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria. Page 223 in The Story

2 Kings 19:21–22 (NIV) 21 This is the word that the L ORD has spoken against him: “ 22 Who is it you have ridiculed and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!

2 Kings 19:23 (NIV) 23 By your messengers you have ridiculed the Lord.

2 Kings 19:27 (NIV) 27 “ ‘But I know where you are and when you come and go and how you rage against me.

2 Kings 19:28 (NIV) 28 Because you rage against me and because your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came.’

2 Kings 19:33–34 (NIV) 33 By the way that he came he will return; he will not enter this city, declares the L ORD. 34 I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David my servant.’ ”

2 Kings 19:35 (NIV) 35 That night the angel of the L ORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty- five thousand in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning—there were all the dead bodies!

What is the point? What is the message God wants to communicate to us through history?

One nation obeyed God, one nation did not. One nation thumbed their nose at God, and the other bowed their knees to God. One King trusted God, one King did not.

What did Hezekiah do? He trusted God to rescue him.

The righteous will live by faith. Faith that the only King we need is King Jesus.

“No King but King Jesus”