We like to cheer for the underdog - the one who wins against overwhelming odds. Israel was often in that position. The king of Assyria, a great ancient super-power, was threatening Israel with destruction if she did not surrender.

The king sent a letter to Hezekiah, in which he mocked Israel and its God. He listed all the nations and gods he had conquered and humiliated and boasted that Israel would be next. But Hezekiah prayed fervently to God to vindicate both Israel and the divine name.

God replied that the Assyrians would not set foot in Jerusalem, and in fact, a plague decimated their army, causing them to withdraw. We cannot allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by fear when we are faced with injus-tice, nor should we do anything foolish. God is our pro-tection and strength, so our trust should be complete

Our spiritual journey is simple but not easy. The gate is narrow - it would be easy to miss if we are not careful. The gate consists of humility, love, compassion, generosity, kindness, justice and trust. The wide gate is easy enough to pass through, but it leads nowhere. It is characterized by selfishness and lack of love. Jesus summed up his teaching with the Golden Rule - treat others as you would want them to treat you. All of the religions of the world, both ancient and modern, teach the same thing. God is trying to make a point!