Introduction
I love this story concerning King Hezekiah, the prophet Isaiah , and Sennacherib of Assyria. I especially like the fact Hezekiah took Sennacherib's written threat to him; to the Temple, laid it out before God and said "hear the words that Sennacherib has sent to mock the living God." Because Hezekiah knew his kingship was anointed by God, and criticism of it was a criticism of God. On one occasion I got an anonyms note of criticism about my ministry, as I did my morning devotions the writer pointed to this story, so I took my note to the worship center laid it out before God and said "look what somebody is saying about You Lord. Then I had a beautiful time of praise and worship. The bottom line of Christian ministry and serving is: Trusting In God.
 

1.    The . . Taunting About Trusting In God. 18:30

A.    Taunting About The Kings . . Persuasion. v 30 a
        "Don't let Hezekiah persuade you to trust in the Lord by saying: Certainly the Lord will deliver us!

B.    Taunting About The Lord's . . Protection. v 30 b
        This city will not be handed over to the king of Assyria.'
 

2.    The . . Trepidation About Trusting In God. 19:1-3, 5-7

A.    The Trepidation .. Reviewed In Hezekiah's Fear. Vs 1-3
        1 When King Hezekiah heard [their report], he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth, and
        went into the Lord's temple. 2 Then he sent Eliakim, who was in charge of the palace, Shebna the
        court secretary, and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to the prophet Isaiah son of
        Amoz. 3 They said to him, "This is what Hezekiah says: 'Today is a day of distress, rebuke, and
        disgrace, for children have come to the point of birth, but there is no strength to deliver [them].

B.    The Trepidation . . Rebuked In Isaiah's Faith. Vs 5-7
        5 So the servants of King Hezekiah went to Isaiah, 6 who said to them, "Tell your master this, 'The
        Lord says: Don't be afraid because of the words you have heard, that the king of Assyria's
        attendants have blasphemed Me with. 7 I am about to put a spirit in him, and he will hear a rumor
        and return to his own land where I will cause him to fall by the sword.' "
 

3.    The . . Tabulation About Trusting In God. 19:14-19
 
A.    The Tabulation In The . . Temple. v 14
        14 Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers, read it, then went up to the
        Lord's temple, and spread it out before the Lord.

B.    The Tabulation In The . . Telling. Vs 15-16
        15 Then Hezekiah prayed before the Lord: "Lord God of Israel who is enthroned [above] the
        cherubim, You are God--You alone--of all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the
        heavens and the earth. 16 Listen closely, Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, Lord, and see; hear the
        words that Sennacherib has sent to mock the living God.

C.    The Tabulation In The . . Truth. Vs 17-18
        17 Lord, it is true that the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands. 18 They
        have thrown their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but made by human hands--wood and
        stone. So they have destroyed them.

D.    The Tabulation In The . . Testimony. v 19
        19 Now, Lord our God, please save us from his hand so that all the kingdoms of the earth
        may know that You are the Lord God--You alone."