"After these deeds of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and entered Judah; he encamped against the fortified cities, thinking to win them over to himself."
King Hezekiah had been very faithful to God. What was the result of his compliance (among other things)? The great international power, Assyria, comes knocking on his door. God would use this arrangement, to bring greater glory to Himself, and to confirm and strengthen Hezekiah's faith.
Sometimes we are tempted to think that our union with Christ excuses us from troubles and trials--that somehow we "deserve" a break from them. Nothing could be further from the truth. Recognize this: the ongoing development of faith and faithfulness is worth whatever it requires--even if these are hard things.
[Puritan quote of the day: "Sanctification is not perfect in this life. He who has the most grace still has some sin." --Obadiah Sedgwick, in "The Anatomy of Secret Sins"]
