The deliverance of Jerusalem from the Assyrian army of Sennacherib around the year 700 B.C. was prophesied by Isaiah. This led to a popular opinion that God would protect the Holy City against the enemies of Judah. “Mount Zion,
is the city of the great King. God is with her castles; renowned is he as a stronghold. God upholds his city for ever,” according to Psalm 48. Thus when a new enemy, Babylon, attacked Jerusalem one hundred years later the people presumed that God would deliver them again. However, God raised up the prophet Jeremiah to remind the people that different circumstances require a different response. That is true in our own spiritual life as well. Our life of prayer needs to develop as we face new situations in life.