A time for rebellion

“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 Kings 18:7

Hezekiah is a breath of fresh air to the reader of biblical history, a righteous king in a troubled line (v 5-6). In verse 7 we see a very OT pattern in the king: the LORD was with him and he prospered in all that he did. But the second half of this verse gives us the negative side of things: his walk with God was also a walk of rebellion.

We can learn something from ol’ Hezzie. We too must rebel, if we are to serve God. Our rebellion will look different than his, but it is rebellion all the same. It is times like these when our rebellion must be at its greatest. “Pastor, are you saying we should revolt against wicked rulers?” Well, yeah. Of course we should. But maybe you’re thinking of the wrong kind of rulers.

Idols and sin rule us by nature. A true turning to God is a turning against them; we cannot have the one without the other. And now is the time to rebel against sin in all forms, especially the doubting of God’s promises, sovereignty, and good plans. We must raise our fists high against ungodly fear and worldly worry. We have served these false gods long enough. The living God is watching over us; all is well.

Rebel with a high hand against every power in your heart and mind that does not cheerfully submit to the Lord Jesus Christ and the utter surety of his reign. For it is he, the supreme Potentate, who says to us, “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). Let’s go about our business as best we can, and let’s rejoice that we have such a Lord, such a Shepherd, such a God, and such a Friend as he.