Isaiah 37 records a showdown between the army of Sennacherib, King of Assyria, and Hezekiah, King of Judah. Previously Hezekiah had buckled under to Assyria by paying tribute that included “all the silver that was found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace” and “the gold with which he had covered the doors and doorposts of the temple of the Lord.” (2 Kings 18:14-16.) Sennacherib wasn’t satisfied and came back for more, with an army arrayed before the walls of Jerusalem.
This time, Hezekiah did the right thing. After he received a demand letter from Sennacherib’s representative, “he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord. . .” (Isaiah 37:14.) The Lord heard Hezekiah’s prayer and wiped out the Assyrian threat. (Isaiah 37:36-38.)
When we are threatened by the troubles of life, how do we respond? Do we simply give in and pay tribute? Do we fight back? Or do we spread them out before the Lord and pray?