Human Response 559: Be Strong and Courageous

2 Chronicles 32:7-8 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for the multitude that is with him: for there be 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 rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

In the face of a great army coming against Judah and Jerusalem, Hezekiah showed his faith and confidence in the Lord. He exhibited strength and courage and influenced the people not to be afraid or dismayed. His faith and courage encouraged the people not to fear, and they rested themselves on his words, believing that God was with them to help. Hezekiah saw that there was more with him than there was with Sennacherib. He did two things: he took action and opened the water flow, and he trusted in God. We can do that, too: do what we can, and commit what happens to God in prayer.

By earthly appearance, the power of evil looks and feels overwhelming, but the heavenly truth is that the power of strength and numbers is actually on our side. This is what faith sees. Therefore, we can respond with strength and courage over against the seemingly great evil forces of the Enemy. When we feel down and discouraged we look with the eyes of faith and see that there is more with us. Then we take heart and rest on the Word of God, whose promises are far stronger than the threats of the Enemy.

When it felt like all was lost at the suffering and death of Christ on the cross on Friday, we kept up our trust in God and then the victorious Resurrection happened on Sunday, and sin, death, and the devil were defeated forever. We are strong and courageous because life overcomes death, sin is forgiven, and Satan is crushed.