YLD (21/08/29) – The Big Guy is on our side
Summary
YLD Topic: The Big Guy is on our side
Scripture on 2 Chronicles 32:1-22
Bullies go around insulting or threatening others who are weaker, more petite than them.
Yes, they could be everywhere (in school, at work, online).
Usually, the bully would pick the smaller or weaker one as their target. It’s also not just physical but also emotional.
• Push us to have self-doubt, feeling discouraged, being threatened, as I am not good enough, having low self-esteem.
They are being challenged physically, mentally and spiritually.
Why do people bully?
We need to pay attention to this. If not, we may fall into the trap of becoming a bully.
• They are wounded, so they want people to feel the same
• They feel like they are in control
• They want their voice to be heard by doing crazy thing
In the Bible, there was a good king of Judah called Hezekiah. He was faithful to God because he did what was right and did his best to obey God. God gave him much success, and life was going well for Hezekiah until another king named Sennacherib decided to war against Hezekiah and his people.
Sennacherib, and he ruled Assyria. Assyria was already bigger and stronger than the other countries around. The people fought back, but it was no use. Assyria always won. Assyria’s armies took over the cities of Judah one by one. Then they came to Jerusalem and attacked Hezekiah and his people.
How did Hezekiah respond to this?
Hezekiah encouraged his people by saying, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the big army with him, for there is a great power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)
The king of Assyria did not give up. He tried to discourage Hezekiah and his people by saying that he had defeated other nations. Sennacherib also made fun of God by saying, “Just as the gods of the peoples of the other lands did not rescue their people from my hand, so the god of Hezekiah will not rescue people from my hand” (2 Chronicles 32:17).
King of Assyria sure is a bully. Not only to King Hezekiah and his people but also to God. When bullies attacked us, we will have self-doubts and easy to lose our confidence. So how did Hezekiah tackle this?
Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah cried out to God in prayer, asking for help. God sent an angel to destroy the Assyrian army. The Bible tells us that God cared for them on every side (2 Chronicles 32:22). Instead of giving up, Hezekiah trusted God, and God came to his rescue.
The people of Jerusalem were saved. God had answered Hezekiah’s prayer!
It gives us tips on how to tackle bullies?
1. Not pay attention to bullies’ words or actions. Cry out to God for help.
2. Do not lose heart – Ask others to pray for you and seek help
3. The big guy’s on our side
For those who trust God, we have the big guy’s on our side.