King Hezekiah received troubling news. He learned that the king of Assyria was on his way to capture Hezekiah’s kingdom. When Hezekiah heard the report, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and went to the temple to pray. God heard Hezekiah’s prayer and delivered Judah from the powerful Assyrian army. Today’s passage is Hezekiah’s response.

2 Kings 19:15-16
And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said: “O Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, you are the God, you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; you have made heaven and earth.  Incline your ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; and hear the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to mock the living God.”

In his prayer for deliverance, Hezekiah called God El Chay—living God. The surrounding nations worshiped gods carved out of wood or stone. The prophet Jeremiah said, “…Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols . . . there is no breath in them” (Jeremiah 10:14). Manmade gods are lifeless, but our God is the “living God.” He is the Maker of heaven and earth. He stooped down to breathe into man the breath of life. The living God made man a living being.

So, here’s the question: Are you serving any dead gods? Are you serving gods of wood, stone, gold, or silver? Are you worshiping any gods that show up in the form of a job or a hobby? Jeremiah wrote that these gods “are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish” (Jeremiah 10:15 NIV). But the living God will never perish. The living God will never cease to be. We can enjoy him today, tomorrow, and forever. Check your heart. Bury the dead gods! Worship the One who lives forever!

Heavenly Father,
You alone are the Maker of heaven and earth. You are the One who breathed life into man. You are the One who breathed life into my lifeless soul. Help me recognize the dead gods in my life. Help me to bury them. Help me worship you alone.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.