2 Kings 19:1
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.
Hezekiah was a good king who had a heart for God. You would think that his reign would be a time of ease, but we find that even the spiritual Hezekiah came across hard times. The verse above says, and it came to pass. The “it” that came to pass was the king of Assyria coming to invade Judah to take the people back to Assyria. Hezekiah’s response to the demand of this king was that nobody should respond to the messengers of the king. Instead, he took several actions that resulted in God turning what seemed to be certain defeat into a great victory.
Everybody is going to have an “it” happen in their lives. When the “it” happens, what you do after it occurs will determine what the “it” does to your life. You can either let the “it” destroy you, or you can take the same actions that Hezekiah took and turn certain defeat into a great victory. Let me share these actions Hezekiah took that you must copy when the “it” happens in your life.
First, do not react to the “it” that happens in your life. Many people are reactive instead of acting by principle when the “it” happens in their lives, and their reaction adds to the calamity of the “it.” Reactionary people make bad decisions that add to their problems that could have been avoided had they responded by principle.
Second, realize “it” is not the end of the world. Hezekiah rent his clothes when his “it” happened. Renting his clothes was not a surrender to defeat, but a beginning step towards the great victory that God would do through the “it.” You must always remember when problems arise that they are not the end of the world. God has everything under control. You must trust God that He will help you even when defeat seems to be certain.
Third, search for sin in your life when the “it” happens. Hezekiah covered himself with sackcloth, which was an act of seeking God’s forgiveness for sin. When the “it” happens in your life, be sure to ask God if any sin caused the “it” to happen. God often uses trials to purify sin from our lives so we can be better tools in His service. Don’t let sin stay in your life but deal with it so that the “it” can turn certain defeat into a great victory.
Fourth, go to the house of God when the “it” happens. The first place Hezekiah went after the “it” happened was to the house of God. You will find that God answers many of life's problems by going to church. The sermon the pastor preaches often will be the truth you need to help you through the “it” in your life. If you miss church, you are missing vital truths that will guide you through the “it” of your life. Be faithful to every service so you don't miss one truth that might help you when the “it” happens.
Fifth, pray when the “it” happens. Hezekiah asked Isaiah to pray when “it” came to pass. Nothing resolves life’s problems like prayer. Every problem in life can be resolved in the prayer closet. The reason the “it” continues in your life is because you continue to avoid the prayer closet. I know it's easier to post your problems on social media, but it is in the secret place of prayer that God's power to resolve the “it” is found. Always make prayer your first response to the “it” in life.
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