Thirteenth Mountain Peak
"But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the kings commandment was, saying, Answer him not." Isaiah 36:21
THE KING OF ASSYRIA, had come with a large army and weapons of war against the defenced cities of Judah (v. 1). He came with great army, and had taken many defenced cities. He boasted with much assurance and pride (v. 8) and he was so sure, of victory, that he would give two thousand horses to Israel if they on their part could put riders upon them! The enemy conies up against us also like a threatening flood. When we feel self-assured we are bound to fall into temptation or sin. The devil goes about, sometimes like a roaring lion, sometimes as an angel of light, and deceives God's people. We think there is no hope of any victory and we fall. But King Hezekiah said: "Don't speak a word" (ch. 21:14-18).
Worldly people, try to tease us when we are in difficulty. When we put our trust in the Saviour the devil tempts us many times to fear that the world will make fun of us. They may say: "You are talking about your Saviour now, but we will see if He can help you!" Many have lost their faith and joy when they have been ridiculed by worldly people. We know, however, through God's Word, that the enemy will surety come like a flood to deceive us and tempt us, but our King says: "Answer him not". That is our weapon! We do not need worldly weapons to defeat the enemy. Many are deceived by trying to defeat the devil with worldly weapons (2 Cor. 10:4). Instead, very quietly wait upon the Lord and get the answer. Remember how Israel overcame Jericho at the time of Joshua (Josh. 6:1 to 6); the walls of Jericho were high and strong, and when they saw them they were frightened, for the enemy was far too strong for them, in weapons and military strength. But God told them clearly they could conquer the enemy by the weapon He was giving them. They had only to listen to the instructions and obey. The Lord asked them simply to walk around the walls of Jericho paying no attention to the men who were mocking them. On the seventh day they were to blow the trumpets and shout. They could have said: "How can the walls fall down just by shouting?". It is a mystery, but when they obeyed the Lord, the walls did fall flat. When there is an earthquake some stones fall on the right and some on the left. I remember, when there was an earthquake in Quetta, many houses and walls fell down, and there were heaps of rubbish everywhere which made it difficult to walk. At Jericho, however, the Scripture says, the walls fell flat, so flat that they could easily walk over it.
The Lord is telling us here: "Do not use worldly weapons to conquer the devil. It is only by hearing the voice of God. going upon your knees, that He will tell you what to do, and you will be able to defeat the enemy day by day." No matter how the enemy may rise up against you, pray with faith and say: "Lord! I am depending upon your strength and victory. Now tell me Lord, how to use my weapon". Somehow God will give you Scripture verses to encourage you and strengthen you, and it is a wonderful thing how the devil can be defeated by a few verses.
I remember many years ago when I came back to India, my father and my mother met me at Bombay. My mother was weeping very much and said, "Why don't you come home for a few days?" but I refused, because they asked me to keep it secret that I was a Christian, though 1 could read the Bible and pray. When frightened, for the enemy was far too strong for them, in weapons and military strength. But God told them clearly they could conquer the enemy by the weapon He was giving them. They had only to listen to the instructions and obey. The Lord asked them simply to walk around the walls of Jericho paying no attention to the men who were mocking them. On the seventh day they were to blow the trumpets and shout. They could have said: "How can the walls fall down just by shouting?". It is a mystery, but when they obeyed the Lord, the walls did fall flat. When there is an earthquake some stones fall on the right and some on the left. I remember, when there was an earthquake in Quetta, many houses and walls fell down, and there were heaps of rubbish everywhere which made it difficult to walk. At Jericho, however, the Scripture says, (he walls fell flat, so flat that they could easily walk over it.
The Lord is telling us here: "Do not use worldly weapons to conquer the devil. It is only by hearing the voice of God, going upon your knees, that He will tell you what to do, and you will be able to defeat the enemy day by day." No matter how the enemy may rise up against you. pray with faith and say: "Lord! I am depending upon your strength and victory. Now tell me Lord, how to use my weapon". Somehow God will give you Scripture verses to encourage you. and strengthen you, and it- is a wonderful thing how the devil can be defeated by a few verses.
I remember many years ago when I came back to India, my father and my mother met me at Bombay. My mother was weeping very much and said, "Why don't you come home for a few days?" but I refused, because they asked me to keep it secret that I was a Christian, though I could read the Bible and pray. When I refused, they went away, and I went to the station to see them off. My mother was weeping very much. She kept on saying. "You arc my eldest son, why don't you come home?" I thought for a while, and the temptation was strong to go with them. I thought: "After all she is my mother and has a claim on me, and surely I can win them over to Christ if I go". That is how the devil deceives us by tears 1 was about to say "Alright, I'll come," when I heard a still small voice: "No man, having put his hand to plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God". That verse saved me from what was a great temptation. Then again I said to my mother: "I am sorry, but I cannot come. The Lord Jesus Christ must be given the first place. He is my Creator and My Saviour." Later on the Lord began to work in my whole family because of my obedience. You will find when you go through serious temptation that cither a small verse conies to your memory, or while you are reading the Bible, He speaks. Take heed, for the devil can deceive you into using worldly weapons. Maintain your peace, for it is peace only that can defeat the devil. (Rom. 16: 20) Inward peace is given by hearing the voice of God, and we will be able to defeat the devil when he comes Upon us either like a flood, or as a roaring lion, or as an angel of light.