How to deal with threats

2 Kings 18:28-32,36 AMPC

Then the Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language, Hear the word of the great king of Assyria! [29] Thus says the king: Let not Hezekiah deceive you. For he will not be able to deliver you out of my hand. [30] Nor let Hezekiah make you trust in and rely on the Lord, saying, The Lord will surely deliver us, and this city will not be given into the hand of Assyria's king. [31] Hearken not to Hezekiah, for thus says the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me and come out to me, and eat every man from his own vine and fig tree and drink every man the waters of his own cistern, [32] Until I come and take you away to a land like your own, a land of grain and vintage fruit, of bread and vineyards, of olive trees and honey, that you may live and not die. Do not listen to Hezekiah when he urges you, saying, The Lord will deliver us. [36] But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for Hezekiah had commanded, Do not answer him.

2 Kings 19:1,10,14,16 AMPC

When King Hezekiah heard it, he rent his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth and went into the house of the Lord. [10] Say this to Hezekiah king of Judah: Let not your God on Whom you rely deceive you by saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. [14] Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it. And he went up into the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord. [16] Lord, bow down Your ear and hear; Lord, open Your eyes and see; hear the words of Sennacherib which he has sent to mock, reproach, insult, and defy the living God.

The enemy of our soul has a big mouth and uses it to threaten us into submission.

His intention is to undermine our trust in Jesus and get us to cower down in fear.

This incident [as above] is recorded in the Bible because it demonstrates how to react when we are attacked and circumstances hem us in on every side.

The first principle is not to get into conversation with the enemy.

Secondly, take the situation to the Lord. Hezekiah took the threatening letter into the Temple and spread it out before God.

Wait in God's Presence until you hear His word to your heart.

We may not have a physical army coming against us, but there are so many things that pounce on us, threatening to destroy and take away our faith.

These circumstances are "big mouths" taunting us, saying: "God won't get you out of this one"!

It may be an army of unexpected bills or a terminal diagnosis of disease. It could be new regulations which threaten our livelihoods.

Whatever it is, take it to your Heavenly Father. If you're going to worry, worry in His Presence. Spread the whole matter out before Him.

I love the verse from 2 Chronicles 20:12

"We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You"!

Many times I've prayed this verse out before the Lord when backed into a corner by an army of threats.

I have to declare that my wonderful, amazing Lord has never ever failed me.

Neither will He ever fail you.

Block out the threats of the enemy with the Word of the Lord:

Romans 8:31-34 AMPC

What then shall we say to all this? If God is for us, who can be against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] [32] He who did not withhold or spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things? [33] Who shall bring any charge against God's elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?] [34] Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?