BACKGROUND/COMMENTARY (David Guzik in blueletterbible. org): "Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed:" Hezekiah understood that the defense of Israel did not depend only on walls and towers and shields and water supplies; it also depended on the strength, courage, and... determination of their soldiers.
"For there are more with us than with him:" Hezekiah encouraged his people with these words: "We have more power than they have. (These words he quotes from the prophet Elisha, 2 Kings 6:16--"Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.") This was soon proved to be true by the slaughter made by the angel of the Lord in the Assyrian camp." (Clarke)
"But with us is the LORD our God:" "The import of 'Immanuel,' by which name Christ now began to be known amongst them." (Trapp)
PERSONAL APPLICATION: As children of the God of this universe, we really have NO reason to fear the challenges and obstacles that come our way. Sometimes, those obstacles are enemies that appear to be SO large and powerful and we feel truly powerless against them. This attack from Sennacherib that King Hezekiah and the people of Judah faced was one that appeared to spell total defeat for Judah. UNTIL they remembered that they had a source of power that was mightier than anything a mere manlike Hezekiah could put together. That source was the King of heaven and ALL His mighty hosts!! This story reminds us that WITH God, we are victorious! WITH God, we are more than conquerors! WITH God, we have no need to fear what mere man can do to us! The God who was with Hezekiah is the same God who is with us today! Therefore, we have NO need to fear!! So, let's move confidently forward knowing that we have the mighty hosts of heaven on our side who will fight for us!!
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