It's on Your Doorstep

 

The day had finally come. The massive Assyrian Army was on the doorsteps of Jerusalem. King Hezekiah sends out his emissaries to talk to Assyrian King Sennacherib's Chief of Staff. The battle of words begins before the imminent battle. You can sense the arrogance and confidence of the enemy of Judah. 

"I'll tell you what! Strike a bargain with my master, the king of Assyria. I will give you 2,000 horses if you can find that many men to ride on them! With your tiny army, how can you think of challenging even the weakest contingent of my master's troops, even with the help of Egypt's chariots and charioteers? What's more, do you think we have invaded your land without the Lord's direction? The Lord himself told us, 'Attack this land and destroy it!'"(Isa. 36:8-10)

The enemy we face every day is exactly like Assyria. The enemy is filled with lies, arrogance, and confidence. We are constantly being tested to expose our resolve to follow Jesus. The enemy has no real power over us. He has words, lies, and deception. He wants us to doubt saying, "Maybe God is against me, maybe God is out to destroy me!" He wants you to believe your situation is hopeless!

Inevitably the enemy will "strike a bargain" which seems like a good way out. Look what King Sennacherib was offering:

"Don't listen to Hezekiah! These are the terms the king of Assyria is offering: Make peace with me -- open the gates and come out. Then each of you can continue eating from your own grapevine and fig tree and drinking from your own well. Then I will arrange to take you to another land like this one -- a land of grain and new wine, bread, and vineyards." (Isa. 36:18-20)

This deal sounds wonderful. Yet, the Assyrian army was not known for its compassion. They either killed their captors or enslaved them. There was no new wine, bread, or vineyards. Once we let evil slip into our lives the truth of the evil is revealed and then it is too late. 

Just like in the Garden of Eden, the serpent made such a pleasing offer. Look at the results. We must resist all temptation. The enemy is on your doorstep asking you to have that extra-marital affair, tempting you to lie, steal, and deceive. The enemy is saying, "Get high on drugs, and you will feel wonderful, get drunk, it will make your problems go away." The offer is always a better life, but the only one that can offer a better life, an eternal life, is Jesus Christ. The ENEMY IS ON YOUR DOORSTEP. You must choose, today, who you will follow! If things seem hopeless, you must realize you ALWAYS have hope in the arms of Jesus!