GLEANINGS — August 24, A.D. 2014                                                                                                              Greatness

"...Then the king of Assyria sent the Rabshakeh [field commander] with a great army from Lachish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. And he stood by the aqueduct from the upper pool, on the highway to the Fuller's Field...[and he said]...Beware lest Hezekiah persuade you, saying, 'The LORD will deliver us.'  Has any one of the gods of the nations delivered its land from the hand of the king of Assyria? Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Indeed, have they delivered Samaria from my hand? Who among all the gods of these lands have delivered their countries from my hand, that the LORD should deliver Jerusalem from my hand?" (from Isaiah 36:2)

Great army, O king? Really? A small company of today's soldiers would be able to wipe out all your troops along with their bows and arrows and swords and shields. But in asserting the superiority of modern soldiers and weapons over yours, we haven't scratched the surface when it comes to greatness. 

The true and living God cannot deliver His holy city, O field commander? It appears that you will need to be shown real greatness!

Here's a glimpse of the eternal King's celestial army: "The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. Bless the LORD, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word." (Psalm 103:19,20)

Mighty Assyrian and others under a delusion of your grandeur, know that – had it not been for His gracious, saving purposes – a word of prayer could have procured a force of about 36,000 or more superhuman warriors to defend ONE Man! For before He suffered the divine and  human Savior said, "...do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?" (Matthew 26:53)

Sennacherib the king and his proud field commander did NOT know with Whom they were dealing...Whose power they had despised...Who they had classified among the worthless idols of the nations. They shortly learned just Who He is, as His prophet tells us:

"Then the angel of the LORD went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses – all dead. So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh. Now it came to pass, as he was worshiping in the house of Nisroch his god, that his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer struck him down with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat. Then Esarhaddon his son reigned in his place." (Isaiah 37:36-38)

So much for the pompous boasting of petty human kings! How is it with you concerning your rightful Creator and King? Have you received His gracious offer of forgiveness and eternal salvation, or do you remain rebellious? Think about that day to come...

"...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:7,8)