A police officer jumped into his squad car and called the station. “I have an interesting case here,” he said. “A woman shot her husband for stepping on the floor she just mopped.” “Have you arrested her?” asks the sergeant. “No, not yet. The floor’s still wet.”
We all have our bullies. They come in many forms: a boss who bargains for sexual favors; an illness that takes your joy; an addiction that pushes you around. People even ball up a fist in God’s face. You may be well beyond your school-yard days, but bullies are still roaming, seeking to kill, steal and destroy. What do you do when you (and your God) are being bullied? An Assyrian king tried to intimidate the people of God and, by de facto, God. In 2 Kings 18-19, we see that God will not be pushed around. Neither should you. Don’t just sit and take it. You bring His fight to the fight. You push back with prayer, fight with faith, and talk your own trash.
First, when the bully talks trash, you talk to God—pray. King Hezekiah did. The back story is this: Assyria, a bully nation jumped on the northern tribe of God’s people, Israel, and took them into exile. They threatened to do the same to Israel’s brothers to the south, Judah. First, Hezekiah tried to payoff Sennacherib, king of Assyria. That never works. Sennacherib talked trash through his messenger to the Jews in the school yard.
32But do not listen to Hezekiah, when he misleads you, saying, "The LORD will deliver us." 33 'Has any one of the gods of the nations delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? 2 King 18:32,33
King Hezekiah prayed to God who hears, sees and listens (1). This brought the king to his knees.
19 "And now, O LORD our God, I pray, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that Thou alone, O LORD, art God." 2 Kings 19:19
When you are faced with a bully or bullying situation, remember God has “skin in the game”—His people and reputation as a loving, redeeming, singular God. Remember your prior experiences with Him who heard, saw and listened to your prayers before and responded. Don’t forget the power of prayer. Talking to the bully seldom works. Talking to God does. Prayer does not change things. The God you pray to does.
Second, when the bully threatens, trust God to answer your prayers according to his will. Hezekiah trusted God’s promises to deliver Israel from bully Assyria.
32 'Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, "He shall not come to this city or shoot an arrow there…; 33 "By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come to this city,"' … 34 'For I will defend this city to save it for My own sake and for My servant David's sake.'" 2 Kings 19:32-34
When adversity showed up in your life, how did God show up: Were bills paid, diagnosis reversed, and important relationships restored?
Remember Hannah prayed and trusted, and God delivered her a prophet- son, Samuel, according to His will. (1 Sam. 1:9-28)
Remember when Elijah prayed and trusted, and God delivered him from 450 bully priests of Baal, sending fire from heaven, according to His will. (1 King 18)
Remember when Paul and Silas prayed and trusted, and God delivered them from a bully-run prison according to His will. (Acts 16:25-27)
Have faith in God—the same, yesterday, tomorrow, forever—the same God, no matter the bully; no matter the schoolyard.
Finally, when the bully talks trash, talk your own trash—a testimony. Hezekiah’s testimony to all bully-nations with any thought of pushing around God’s people was this: God does what he says He’ll do.
35 …the angel of the LORD went out, and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men rose early in the morning, behold, all of them were dead. 2 kings 35
Everyone could benefit from your testimony of how your Goliath fell, your chains loosed, your bully sent packing without an arrow fired. It helps to have a big brother to bring to the schoolyard fight of life. Consider the hymnist’s testimony of God’s qualifications to be a bully beater.
How Great Thou Art
Oh Lord, my God, When I, in awesome wonderConsider all the worlds Thy hands have madeI see the stars, I hear the rolling thunderThy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou artThen sings my soul, my Savior God to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou art
And when I think that God, His Son not sparingSent Him to die, I scarce can take it inThat on the cross, my burden gladly bearingHe bled and died to take away my sin
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou artThen sings my soul, my Savior God to TheeHow great Thou art, how great Thou art
Commenti