It was by terrible things in righteousness' that Hezekiah's answer came. His prayer was at one end of the chain, and at the other was a camp full of corpses. One poor man's cry can set in motion tremendous powers, as a low whisper can start an avalanche. That magnificent theophany in Psalm 18., with all its majesty and terror of flashing lightnings and a rocking earth, was brought about by nothing more than In my distress I called upon the Lord,' and its purpose was nothing more than to draw the suppliant out of many waters and deliver him from his strong enemy.
That army swept off the earth may teach us how much God will do for a praying child of His. His people's deliverance is cheaply purchased at such a price. He reproved kings for their sake.'
One man with God beside him is stronger than all the world. As the psalmist learned in his hour of peril, Thou, Lord, makest me to dwell in safety, thou alone!'