My four-year-old granddaughter has such a sweet and gentle spirit.

She also has excellent manners (most of the time). And that includes when she doesn’t want to do what you ask her to do. Case in point:

Me: “Esther, your little sister had that first, so you need to give it back to her.”

Esther: “No, thank you.” (Said in the sweetest, most sincere tone of voice you can imagine.)

Since she really did need to give the item back, I thanked her for having such good manners but insisted she did what I told her to.

In other words, I didn’t allow her to “rebel against authority.” But based on the condition of the world we’re living in, I think it’s fair to say you are going to have more than a few opportunities to “rebel against the Assyrians” (choose godly leaders over worldly authority).

Today’s verse is the culmination of the blessings God bestowed on Hezekiah, king of Judah — a godly leader of his people (read the story of his leadership against ungodly invaders in 2 Kings 18 & 19).

The key to honoring God in your rebellion is to say, “No, thank you,” refusing to serve those who use their power and position to oppress and divide.