Keeping God On Our Side

HOW TO KEEP GOD ON OUR SIDE

2 Kings 18:1-7

INTRODUCTION

A. The rich and the powerful point to their power and riches as proof that God is on their side.

B. The poor and downtrodden often believe that God is on their side in their rebellion against the rich

and powerful.

C. God is on the side of his creation (John 3:16), but it is up to his creation as to whether we keep him

on our side (Isa 59:1-2).

D. And the Lord was with him; wherever he went out, he prospered. He rebelled against the king of

Assyria and would not serve him. (2 Kgs 18:7).

E. The text gives three reasons why the Lord was with him.

I. HEZEKIAH REMOVED THE HIGH PLACES (V. 4)

A. The author reveals the origin of the mongrel religion found in the days of Christ (2 Kgs 17:24-41).

B. He also reveals the pit into which Israel fell and the pit into which many believers fall today (v.33; 2

Cor 6:11-18).

C. Many try to baptize politics, mongrelizing Christianity in our own age.

II. HEZEKIAH TRUSTED THE LORD (V.5)

A. The test of trust is not in his bold act, but his steadfastness in the face of taunts (2 Kgs 18:17-

19:20).

B. The Psalms on trust (20:7; 37:5; 62:7-9; 119:41-42).

III. HEZEKIAH HELD FAST TO THE LORD (V.6)

A. To hold fast to the Lord is to keep his word.

B. We are reminded of the words of Jesus and of his brother James (Matt 7:21-23; Jam 2:14-26)

CONCLUSION

A. Our text is but a snapshot of Hezekiah’s life. He, like David to whom he is compared, stumbled (2

Kgs 20:12-21), but that did not nullify the testimony: "He trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, so that

there was none like him among all the kings of Judah after him, nor among those who were before

him" 2 Kgs 18:5).

B. Being honest and open about the failings of God’s heroes, helps ordinary people such and you and I

realize that God is not seeking perfect specimens for his collection, but person who don’t give up.