The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-06-30

Lesson Third Quarter, For
July 2, 1911.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Ps. XVI, documentary Prepared b,
Rev. D. NJ. stearns.
The story of Hezekiah is somewha
fully recorded not only in II Kings anC
II Chronicles, but also in the prophec,
Of Isaiah. A few weeks ago we wer,
considering how he began his reign b,
repairing and cleansing the temple anC
by keeping the Passover for all Israel
summoning the twelve tribes thereto
He wrought that which was good ant
right and truth before the Lord hi,
God, and he sought God with all hi.
heart and prospered Oh Chron XXI
20, Ply. Such devotion to the Twin.
and true God was more than the devf
could stand, for all who will live godl,
In Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution
Oil Tim. ILL., 12), so he stirred up thu
king of Assyria to fight against Jeru
salem and by words and letters Il
mock and blaspheme the God of Israe
and His people. To his blasphemy ant
revilings the people answered not 4
word. but held their peace. as the king
had taught them III Kings xviii, S6.
Thus did David. according to Ps
xxxviii, ID. and thus did the Lord
Jesus both before the high priest and
PLATE Matt xvi. 62. 6S; xvii, Ia
when He was reviled He reviled not
again; when He suffered He threat
ened not" Il Pet. II. 23l. Hezekiah did
with the wicked letter. just what we all
ought to do with such things-spread
them before the Lord and unburden
our hearts to Him about all such. ]
have personally proved this way OF
peace more than once. If you do not
receive wicked letters you will proba.
bly, hear OF wicked words that have
been spoken against you Just tell all
to the Lord Jesus and leave all with
Him.
Hezekiah's prayer at this time is a
most refreshing study Oh Kings xix.
1919; lisa. xxxvii. 1920. Note that
his reason for asking deliverance was
that all the earth might know the Lord.
The prophet Isaiah also joined him in
prayer in this his time of difficulty QI
Chron. xxxii. 20. Hezekiah was thus
able to speak to the hearts Of the peo-
pie because he was himself comforted
by his trust in the Lord BE strong
and courageous; be not afraid nor dis
mayed for the king of Assyria. There
be more with us than with them. With
him is an arm of flesh. but with us is
the Lord our God to help us and to
fight our battles" III Chron. xxxii, z, s.
In the portion assigned us today we
have the Lords answer to Hezekiah
through the prophet Isaiah. 1t becomes
us to be sure that God answers prayer
and. having committed our affairs to
Him. leave all with Him in quietness
even though we may not have as
speedy an answer as the king had
THERE'S no resting place like the words
OF the Lord God of Israel. The Virgin
the daughter of Zion, hath despised
thee and laughed thee to soorn (verse
~ When kings and rulers take coun
sci together against the Lord He that
stitch In the hea vens shall laugh, the
Lord shall have them in derision ops.
ii. 1-5). When the Lords people are
touched In any way 1t is the Lord Him.
self who is touched. When the king
Of Assyria reproached and blasphemed
the king Of Judah he was really bias.
pheming the Lord, the Holy One of
Israel (verses %. 24D. So it has been
and shall be again and again until the
last great blasphemer shall be cast
alive into the lake Of fire Dan. II, SO;
Rev. xiii, 4-s; xix. 19).
1t Is God Himself that the devil
hates and would dethrone If he could
and therefore shows his hatred toward
the people of God. but hear the Lord as
He says to him. II know thy abode.
and thy going out, and thy coming in.
and thy rage against me" (verse 2S).
Then note what follows as to His as
surance OF deliverance and mark we'll
the words. THE zeal OF the Lord OF
hosts shall do this" verse 32) Com.
pare lisa. tx. z. and be assured that the
zeal Of the Lord Of hosts will not rest
till the king shall sit on David's throne
and reign over the house OF Jacob
duke /, 31-33). For His own sake and
for His servant David's sake He will
do IT (verse 35). See how easily the
Lord can overthrow His enemies and
deliver His people. He has. but to
speak and it is done. The angel of the
Lord went forth that night. and by His
power $4,000 of the Assyrian army
died Thus easily did He overthrow
Pharaoh and his hosts in the Red sea.
In IsraeFs last extremity. when the
armies OF antichrist shall be gathered
against Jerusalem. He shall come IN
the clouds OF heaven with power and
great glory and shall consume with
the spirit Of His mouth and destroy
with the brightness of His coming that
wicked one and his armies Oh Thess
1, 80: lisa. XII. 4: Rev. xix. 10. 20).
Remember how when Judas and his
band came to arrest Him IN the days
of His humiliation and weakness He
simply said. II am" and they went
backward and fell to the ground Re-
member also that ''by the word Of the
Lord we're the heavens made and all
the host OF them by the breath OF His
mouth" ops. xxxiii. 81 and ask what
you know OF the power OF His word in
your own life--the power and wisdom
OF God. May He grant us according
to the riches OF His glory to be
with might by His spirit
in the inner man O3ph. i'll. l0).