That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still.” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to the disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:35-41.

I love this chapter, 2 Kings 19, for so many reasons. Hezekiah, the king of Judah, goes to the temple of the Lord when he and his kingdom are threatened by Sennacherib, king of Assyria. He goes to God. (The note below about Assyria: 19:28 The Assyrians treated captives with cruelty. They tortured prisoners for entertainment by binding them, cutting them, or pulling off strips of their skin until they died. If the Assyrians wished to make a captive a slave, they would often put a hook in his nose. God was saying that the Assyrians would be treated the way they had treated others.)

Also, we meet Isaiah, the prophet of God, who tells Hezekiah twice not to be afraid of what he has heard. The 2nd time they are threatened, Hezekiah went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. v. 14. He goes to God who knows all that Sennacherib has threatened.

And then Isaiah sends a message to Hezekiah about what has been spoken by the Lord against Sennacherib. 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! Have you not heard? Long ago I ordained it. In days of old I planned it; now I have brought it to pass, that you have turned fortified cities into piles of stone. But I know where you are and when you come and go and how you rage against me. 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. v. 22, 25, 27, 28.

And then, God reassures Hezekiah. I will defend this city and save it, for my sake and for the sake of David, my servant. v. 34.

The mighty king of Assyria who knew no defeat as he threatened others withdrew after 185,000 of his soldiers were killed by the angel of the Lord during the night. He ends up being killed by 2 of his sons.

Who is this who accomplishes all that He promises? Almighty God who stills the raging storms of hate, wind and waves. We are living in a time when pride and arrogance are pushing their way into the mainstream of every nation and its easy to feel overcome by the onslaught. I love these words of Isaiah: Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31.

Hope in the Lord when all around you are the storms of the arrogance of this world. His understanding, this world filled with pride, cannot fathom. We can. We can trust Him and walk with Him and begin to learn about His love that will heal all the nations and our hope will be renewed daily in Him. God speed that day! Who is This? Come and see. He’s here. Always. He will take your hand if you ask to know Him, and He will lead you gently in His love and care. And what will you begin to learn? How to love Him with all your heart and so love others as you love yourself. There is no other way we will be healed. Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?