Hezekiah was 25 when he became Judah's King, and with term limits defined by someone sticking a sword in your back, being captured by an invading enemy, or just time to take a dirt nap, he reigned in Judah for 29 years. Seven years after capturing Samaria and sending the Israelites into captivity, Assyria, in their quest for world domination, wanted Jerusalem as well.
To soften them up, the Assyrian King launched a propaganda campaign full of threats, insults, and warnings to Hezekiah and his people. Judah was no match for the superior invaders and would have been toast, had it not been their ace in the hole. Hezekiah was a man of faith and prayed to God for deliverance.
As the mighty enemy approached and surrounded the city of Judah, not a single arrow needed to be shot.
"That night, the angel of the Lord went out to the Assyrian camp and killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers." (2 Kings 19:35)
New York had fallen, Washington's army just got shredded at Brandywine, their remaining ammo all but ruined, and the British troops invaded Philadelphia, scattering the Continental Congress, who were in fear of being hanged for treason. It was September 1777, and things were not looking good for the fledgling new country. "The prospect is chilling on every side; gloomy, dark, melancholy, and dispiriting," John Adams wrote.
His cousin Sam...different attitude altogether. He saw what happened in March of '76 when a storm thwarted the invading British Navy from attacking Boston, and again a few months later as a dense fog provided cover for Washington to retreat out of New York before being captured and ending things altogether. God had delivered them before and would again.
As he addressed the limited Congress (only 20 of them were brave enough to reconvene), Samuel Adams encouraged them to knock off their sour faces and not be despondent. "A patriot may grieve at the distress of his country, but he will never despair."
Adams went on to say, "We have appealed to Heaven for the justice of our cause, and in Heaven we have placed our trust. Numerous have been the manifestations of God's providence in sustaining us. In the gloomy period of adversity, we have had our cloud by day and pillar of fire at night. We have been reduced to distress, and the arm of Omnipotence has raised us up. Let us still rely in humble confidence on Him who is mighty to save. Good tidings will soon arrive. We shall never be abandoned by Heaven while we act worthy of its aid and protection."
Samuel Adams was a great leader, not just a great beer.
God has been protecting his faithful people since the beginning of time, and He's not about to stop now.
Whatever enemy you are facing, whatever troops are surrounding you, whatever force is attacking you, ask God for help. Have faith, quit whining, and act worthy of His faith and protection. The battle may be bloody, but we all know how the story ends.
