Once the Lord spoke his word of assurance, those poor trembling citizens of Zion found their courage. They shook their heads at Sennacherib's arrogant threats. That's what strong faith does! It gives God's servants the power to look their proudest enemies in the eye with calm contempt.

We know what our enemies are attempting. Impossibilities! They're trying to destroy the eternal life that cannot die as long as Jesus lives. They're trying to overthrow the fortress that the gates of hell will never conquer. They kick against the goads and only wound themselves. They hurl themselves against God's shield and come away bleeding.

And we know their weakness. What are they but men? And what is man but a worm? Oh, they roar and rage like ocean waves, foaming out their own shame. But when the Lord rises up? They will scatter like chaff in the wind. They will burn up like crackling thorns in a fire.

Their complete inability to damage God's cause and God's truth should make even the weakest soldier in Zion's army laugh at them. Laugh them to scorn!

But here's the greatest truth of all: the Most High is with us. And when he dresses himself in armor, where are his enemies then? Where? When he rises from his place, these broken pieces of pottery will not contend with their Maker for long. His iron rod will shatter them like clay jars, and even the memory of them will vanish from the earth.

So away with your fears! The kingdom is safe because the King holds it in his hands. Shout for joy! The Lord reigns, and his enemies will be nothing but straw for the dunghill.

As certain as God's word is certain, neither earth nor hell with all their armies will defeat us. They have become a joke, a byword. God is with us. We are his. Our victory cannot fail.