LifeLink Devotions for Friday, August 22, 2025

Never underestimate an opponent. One of my favorite examples of that comes from the 1980 Olympics. The Russian hockey team was formidable. They knew it. Perhaps they became overconfident. They certainly didn’t think that a rag-tag bunch of amateurs from American stood a chance. But by the end of the game the world was shouting “USA.”

Such was the case with the Assyrian army. A formidable foe. Indomitable. Except for one thing – they overlooked the power of their opponent’s God. But the expression of God’s power can be contingent on our recognition of the enemy’s power.

When Hezekiah prayed to the Lord, He had exhausted all his own ideas and energy. He came to the Lord humbly to release all authority over the problem to God. He wanted no control of or recognition for the outcome. He trusted God’s purpose and power.

In his humble stance before the LORD, Hezekiah admitted his own weakness in the face of a seemingly unconquerable opponent. Listen to what the King says in His prayer.

“It is true, O LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands.”

Hezekiah admitted to God that he understood the power of the enemy. He knew his own weakness in dealing with such oppositional strength. He cried out to the only source of strength greater than the problem – God.

Our prayers when asking God for help overcoming our problems must include two things:

1. An acknowledgement of who God is; and
2. An acknowledgement of who we are.

When we pray with a focus on God’s strength and a confession of our weakness then the power of God is released to bring about God’s intended outcomes. And those outcomes are guaranteed when we let go and get out of God’s way.

So today, begin to learn to pray like Hezekiah. Don’t try to cover up for your weaknesses by underestimating your enemy. Be honest about it. Tell God you are unable to handle it. Then step back and watch God work. You will be amazed at how good it feels.

Pastor John