Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
(II Kings19:9b-11.14-21.31-35a.36; Matthew 5:6.12-14)
The kings of Judah and Israel were often as corrupt as tyrannical
strongmen today. They feigned piety
while using their position of power to satisfy mundane desires. King Hezekiah of Judah, however, was an
exception to this rule. Acting contrary
to his unfaithful father, he destroyed idols and reformed public worship. In his greatest trial he turned to the Lord
for mercy and was not denied.
We read today the account of Assyria’s siege of
Jerusalem. Having subjected the Northern
Kingdom, its powerful army and was bearing on Hezekiah’s Southern Kingdom. The king recognized his desperate situation
and prayed to the Lord for deliverance. In
one of the most remarkable turnabouts in recorded history, Assyria retreated
without assaulting Jerusalem.
God hears the prayer of His faithful servants. We can live assured of this. His response to our request is not always
what we desire, but it does bring us peace.
Having fulfilled His will, we can look forward to experiencing now the
beginnings of His glory.
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