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II KINGS 19:14-19

Intro: Our lives are filled with stress and pressure situations, we learn
       to adjust and  live with it. There invariably comes that time when
       the situation is more than we  can handle and we must reach out
       beyond ourselves.

I. HEZEKIAH'S PROBLEM THE THREATENING LETTER OF SENNACHERIE KING OF
   ASSYRIA.
        A. He threatened to invade and destroy.
                1. The Assyrians had conquered every nation they faced
                   even stronger nations.
                2. Assyria was very cruel.
                        a. History records mass suicides.
        B. He discouraged them trusting in God for help.
                1. He pointed out the ineptness of the other nations'
                   gods against his  military might.
        C. It was like having a big bully telling you how many ways he
           was going to  beat your face in.

II. HEZEKIAH TURNED TO THE LORD FOR HELP.
        A. He went into the house of the Lord and spread out the letter
           before Him.
                1. He placed the whole scene in God's hands. 
                        a. "Cast all your cares upon Him,..."
                        b. He wants you to come today with your heavy
                           heart, your  problem.
                        c. How do you know but what God has not allowed
                           these  things to turn you to Him.
        B. Hezekiah's Prayer.
                1. Acknowledged truth about God.
                        a. Only true God
                        b. Created universe. (see problem in right
                           perspective..
                2. Asked God to look at letter.
                        a. Look what he is saying about you.
                3. Acknowledged truth about situation.
                        a. Assyrians are tough.
                        b. Have defeated everybody else.
                        c. Have destroyed other gods.
                4. Asked God's help and deliverance.
        C. Where we turn for help in time of need is vital. 
                1. Some reach out to the bottle.
                        a. Booze.
                        b. Pills.
                        c. Neither solves the problem but usually
                           compounds it.
                2. Many reach out to friends.
                        a. You can sure discover who they are.
                        b. Often all they can give is sympathy.
                        c. They can share in the despair.

IV. THE RESULT OF TURNING TO THE LORD.
        A. The Lord sent Hezekiah a message via the prophet Isaiah.
                1. I have heard your prayer.
                2. God dictated a reply to the letter.
                3. God promised to defend the city and save it.
        B. God's deliverance.
                1. That night the angel smote the camp of the
                   Assyrians killing  185,000.
                2. The king fled back to Assyria where he was
                   assassinated.
        C. How different the story could have been.