Whenever Charlie Brown in the Peanuts comic strip suffers frustration, he cries out, “Aaugh!” When his baseball team loses again—”Aaugh!” When he fails at the school spelling bee—”Aaugh!” When his kite crashes into the  “kite-eating tree”—”Aaugh!”

One can easily imagine King Hezekiah crying out “Aaugh!” to the Lord in today’s harrowing episode. The army of Assyria had arrived at the gates of Jerusalem. The enemy field commander had openly defied the Lord and gloated over their imminent conquest (2 Kings 18:17–37). Hearing this, Hezekiah “tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the LORD” (v. 1). In the culture of that day, these actions signified deep grief, alarm, and humility. The king knew the nation was in deep trouble. Unless God did something miraculous, Judah would shortly be defeated.

Tearing his clothes was in this case not a reaction of fear but of faith. How do we know? Because Hezekiah went to the Temple, that is, to the Lord, an action signifying worship and trust. He also sent his officials to inquire of Isaiah the prophet (v. 2), who answered that God would indeed rescue them. Those who blasphemed His name would not be allowed to win a victory here (vv. 5–6).

Later, King Sennacherib of Assyria again boastfully threatened Judah (vv. 9–13). Again, Hezekiah responded with prayer and faith (vv. 14–19). He was concerned not only with his kingly duty to defend the nation but also with God’s glory. In this case as well, Isaiah prophesied the defeat and downfall of Sennacherib, which shortly came true (2 Kings 19:20–37).

Hezekiah’s torn clothing and sackcloth were outward signs of an inner attitude, namely, faith and humility before the Lord. Without Him, Judah had no hope. With Him, the battle was already won!