Deliver Us from Evil

Background Scripture: 2 Kings 18–19:7
Lesson Scripture: 2 Kings 18:28–30, 33–36; 19:1–7

Introduction

We have a natural inclination toward evil. Unless this propensity is overcome, we will remain enslaved. We cannot break free from this captivity by our own strength. Our only hope is in being delivered by the all-powerful, eternal God. The only escape from our dilemma is offered to us by salvation through Christ Jesus our Lord. “Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped” (Ps. 124:7).

Key Verse

Sing unto the Lord, praise ye the Lord: for he hath delivered the soul of the poor from the hand of evildoers (Jer. 20:13).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Hezekiah reigned as king of Judah for about 29 years, during 715–687 BC. He was a man of sincere devotion to God and a great leader of the people. He destroyed the altars to pagan gods. He reopened the temple and cleansed it of the people’s defilement, preparing it for godly worship. The people rejoiced under Hezekiah’s leadership and anticipated better times. He initiated different projects that proved beneficial to the kingdom. Among these were building towns and fortresses, constructing storehouses for surplus products, encouraging trade, promoting agriculture, and bringing a greater water supply to Jerusalem. He obeyed God, doing what was pleasing to Him. “And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father did” (2 Kings 18:3).

The term Rabshakeh is not only understood to be a personal name but also the title of high-ranking Assyrian officials. These officers were mocking Israel’s King Hezekiah while lifting and praising the king of Assyria as the victorious one. This was an affront and sacrilege to God’s children and their identity. King Hezekiah and his people were distressed at the reproach they were suffering. This all was overwhelming to Hezekiah, and he knew that God’s people needed help beyond the power of men and their armies. In an expression of helplessness and desperation, Hezekiah rent his clothes, covered himself in sackcloth, took the threats written by the Assyrians, and went into the Lord’s house and opened the matter to God. The king’s plea was for assistance from the God of Heaven and earth.

They were in such sorrow and shame that the king sent the priests, who also were in sackcloth, to see the prophet Isaiah. The prophet assured them that God was preparing to deliver them and that the king of Assyria would fall by his own sword. The Lord heard their cry and promised to deliver them and to defend Jerusalem for his name’s sake. Despite the Assyrian king’s boasts of superior power and his history of victories, God did not let Jerusalem fall into his hands.

Later King Hezekiah fell seriously ill. Having no heir to the throne, Hezekiah began to plead with God for an extension of time and life. God granted him an additional fifteen years, and Hezekiah apparently died of natural causes. “And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake (2 Kings 20:6). God had again proven to be the Almighty One, having no equal in Heaven and earth.

Practical Truths for Today

The evil one delights to intimidate God’s children. In our lesson, the opposing forces tried to bring doubts concerning Hezekiah, questioning his trustworthiness. In our time, Satan tries to undermine our confidence in God, knowing that his questioning can discourage us and cause us to feel bound in our spirit. This unwholesome fear is a fruit of evil and cripples us, hindering us in our joyful fellowship with God.

We cannot overcome evil with the strength of man, for man is inherently evil. The only force more powerful than evil is good, which is born of God. God wants to work through and in us, accomplishing his work of deliverance from evil. We witness this in the believer when his heart is at rest in the peace of God. It is not in the noise and clamor of battle that our victory is won but in the quiet confidence that God is able to deliver us from evil.

God has provided an escape route for every evil temptation and strength to overcome the enemy in every spiritual battle. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13). We are without excuse when failing to overcome. In the hour of test, God supplies the strength we need to conquer any evil. In the darkest moment, when it seems all light has fled, God hears the cry of his child longing for freedom. When we have been driven by the evil one to a dead end, God is waiting to deliver us.

Harboring an offense can become like a prison; offense holds us captive in our spirit when we need to be set free to forgive and love. “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle” (Prov. 18:19). Our forgiveness of the perceived offender releases us so our joy and peace can return. We must decide to forgive, but only a decision to forgive is not enough. The grace to truly forgive is not of man—it comes from God alone. We may feel that in forgiving the one who trespassed against us, we release him with no judgment of wrong; in reality, we set ourselves free from bondage.

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Tim. 3:1). We live in difficult times when Satan is working to enslave mankind and bring to naught God’s work of salvation. He is the author of fear and all that discourages us in Christian living. Satan undermines our faith, planting doubt in our minds and seeking to limit what the power of God can do. Satan’s strategy includes deceit; he seeks to blind our eyes to his evil snares. He promises freedom in expression of self, wanting to catch us unaware of the snare that is hidden in this falsehood. The gospel is a message of hope and freedom from guilt through the grace of God. The gospel illuminates all the dark thoughts of our minds. When we thank God for the victory over evil, our thanksgiving becomes a safeguard to protect us from the wicked one’s stratagems.

Although the evil spirits today tell young people it is very difficult, if not impossible, to live a consecrated Christian life, this lesson serves as an encouragement that in a full commitment to God victory is assured. We do not need to faint or be daunted as we face the upward climb toward our eternal goal. Though the evil forces strive to bind our spiritual feet, wanting us to stumble and fall, God has promised deliverance to the captive. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach . . . deliverance to the captives . . . to set at liberty them that are bruised” (Luke 4:18). We can take courage in knowing that God is greater than all the evil. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).

Illustrations

Elisha and his servant were surrounded by the army of Syria. This army consisted of many soldiers, plus their horses and chariots. Elisha’s servant was afraid as he viewed this formidable host. He wondered if there would be any way out of their dilemma. “Alas, my master! how shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15). Elisha assured him that they would be delivered from the pursuers. God opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw the mountains now full of Heaven’s horses and chariots of fire. The Syrian army was outnumbered, and God provided a way of escape for his servants. “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (v. 16). Our victory and deliverance lie with God.

Questions

1. How much fear of evil is healthy for a Christian? When does such a fear mean a Christian does not trust God?
2. As young Christians, do we see ourselves as strong enough and wise enough to identify and overcome the dangers of this world?
3. What are ways to identify Satan’s ploy to make us feel threatened and vulnerable in the face of evil forces?
4. What are ways to be more confident in God’s escape route and deliverance?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).