When Sennacherib, king of Assyria, invaded Judah, Hezekiah knew that the city of Jerusalem would come under attack, so he went into action to defend the city. He built up the broken wall and raised up another outside of it. He also “made weapons and shields in abundance” and “set military captains over the people” (vv.5-6).

But it would take more than that to save the city from the onslaught of the powerful armies of Sennacherib. So Hezekiah called the people together to encourage them. In the face of their seemingly hopeless situation, he declared, “There are more with us than with him” (v.7).

How could he say this? He gives the answer in the very next verse: “With [Sennacherib] is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” That was their hope. Sennacherib had power, men, and prestige—“an arm of flesh”—but the inhabitants of Jerusalem had the Lord!

Is there some “enemy” pressing in on you today? Do you feel as though the opposition is about to crush and destroy you? Does everything seem hopeless? Take heart, child of God! With the Lord on your side, you are never outnumbered.  — Richard De Haan