Expect God to Work for Your Success

Hezekiah assembled his military officers before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words:

“Be strong.”
“Be confident.”
“Be courageous.”
“There is a greater power with us than with our enemies.”
“Our enemies only have the arm of the flesh.”
“The Lord our God who is with us helps us fight our battles.”

But the king of Assyria said:

“On what are you basing your confidence?”
“You remain under siege.”
“Your king is misleading you.”
“You will die of hunger and thirst.”
“How then can your god deliver you from my hand?”

Have you reached a point in your book marketing where you lack confidence? Do you feel as if you’re trapped without any way to move forward, any reason to keep trying? Have all the marketing pitches and promises left you bitter and cynical, doubting that your books will ever sell? Out of money, time, and ready to give up? Do you doubt that even God will help you?

If so, let’s look at how  King Hezekiah devised a strategy for success that depended solely on God.

• King Hezekiah cried out in prayer to heaven. Turn to God. Lift up your eyes. Look to heaven for your help. Do not look to the past. Our God is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living (Mark 12:27). He has plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).
• The Lord sent an angel who annihilated all the fighting men and the commanders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. Ask God to send his mighty angles to defend you. Ask God to destroy all barriers to your success.The Lord our God will command his angels to guard you. (Psalm 91:11) (Luke 4:10)
  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him. (Psalm 34:7)
  The angel of the Lord delivers them. (Psalm 34:7)
  “I tell you that your angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)
  All angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation. (Hebrews 1:14)
  I will send an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way. I will bring you to the place I have prepared. (Exodus 23:20)
• The Assyrian king withdrew to his own land in disgrace. Expect the obstacles to your success to withdraw and melt away.
• Some of his sons, his own flesh and blood, cut him down with the sword. Expect the obstacles to your success to be cut down and cast away.
• The Lord saved the people. Confess that the Lord saves. Through Christ we are saved. In Christ we have the promise of abundant life. Your faith in Jesus brings victory.
• He took care of them on every side. Rest in peace with the knowledge that nothing surprises our Lord. He protects your flanks and back. Advance with confidence.
• Many brought offerings for the Lord and valuable gifts for the king. Once you begin to see success, bring your best to the Lord as an offering. Praise him. Proclaim his name. List the ways he has helped you achieve success.
• From then on Hezekiah was highly regarded by all the nations. Once the Lord has established you, embrace the title of victor. Stand tall. Stand firm. With quiet confidence and in humility accept the mantle of best-selling author in order that others may be encouraged to put their trust in Jesus.So it will be for everyone who places their confidence in the Lord our God. (Romans 10:11, 1 Peter 2:6 / Isaiah 28:16, Isaiah 49:23, Psalm 25:3)

What lessons can we learn from this story of having confidence in the strong arm of our Lord?

1. Assemble your people, your “tribe,” those committed to offering help and who believe in you and your books. Give each a task and follow up to make sure they execute their work. Feel free to delegate this supervision task to one “officer.” Ask each member to recruit one more person to your team.
2. Receive courage from the Lord. Jesus says:“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)
   “Daughter, take courage. Your faith has made you well.” (Matthew 9:22)
   “Take courage, stand up! Jesus is calling you!” (Mark 10:49)

   We do not need to muster up false courage. Jesus is on our side. Jesus on our inside. We are inside him. He is our courage.

3. Believe a greater power is with you. This is your VISION for victory and success.
4. Declare and believe that your adversary only has the power of man.
5. Ignore the words and signs that sow seeds of doubt.
6. Look beyond your circumstances and trust in the vision.
7. Pray to the Lord.
8. Do all within your power to achieve success, then expect, watch, and wait for God to act on your behalf.
9. Bring offerings and praise to the Lord.
10. In humility accept the high regard God has for you.