This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I was so impressed by the godly leadership skills of Hezekiah in the Bible…
When facing the crisis of a siege of Jerusalem by Sennacherib, king of Assyria, he consulted with his officials and military staff, strategized, and did what he could to deal with the situation (2 Chronicles 32.1-5)… That’s always good practice!! Do what can be done!
Then Hezekiah encouraged the people he led to trust God! The Bible says, “He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.’ And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.” (2 Chronicles 32:6–8 NIV) What a wise and godly leader!
Sennacherib, king of Assyria, scoffed at Hezekiah, taunted him, and demeaned the Living God … The Bible says, “He spoke about the God of Jerusalem as they did about the gods of the other peoples of the world – the work of human hands.” (2 Chronicles 32.9-19)
Hezekiah went one step further … He did what every godly leader ought to do in a crisis… HE PRAYED and got others to join him in prayer! “King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. And the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons, his own flesh and blood, cut him down with the sword. So the Lord saved Hezekiah and the people of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib king of Assyria and from the hand of all others. He took care of them on every side.“ (2 Chronicles 32:20–23 NIV)
So, four key leadership lessons from Hezekiah when you’re facing an incredible crisis…
- Do what can be done – collaborate with good godly people, strategize, and take constructive action.
- Encourage those you lead not to listen to those who ridicule the Living God, but instead urge them to join you in trusting the Lord.
- PRAY FERVENTLY (and solicit the prayer support of other praying people)
- Then trust God to act in powerful ways (…and He will!)
Coffee With The Lord 