The year is 710 B.C. The northern kingdom of Israel has been overwhelmed by the tyrannical rulership of the Assyrian kingdom. At the same time, the southern kingdom of Judah lives in relative peace under the kingship of a godly king by the name of Hezekiah. One day Isaiah, the prophet, walks into the palace of the court and requests an audience with the king. It’s always great to see the prophet, Hezekiah thought. Isaiah always has a word from the Lord. But the word the prophet claims to have is not one most of us would like to hear at any point in our lives. The Bible records: “In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’” (2 Kings 20:1)
What most of us would do if we heard that we have just a short time to live, is become angry with God and irritated at the rest of the world. We would probably become cynical with life and have pity on our own circumstance. Yet, that’s not what Hezekiah does in response. Instead of becoming angry with God, irritated with the world or sending out an e-vite to his pity party; the king calls on God. The historian records: “Then he [Hezekiah] turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying, ‘Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly.” (2 Kings 2:2)
Wouldn’t you know that, before the last words are released from the king’s mouth in prayer, God already has an answer for him? Here’s what the Bible says: “And it happened, before Isaiah had gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, ‘Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people, “Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD. And I will add to your days fifteen years.’” (2 Kings 2:4-6)
Recounting his spiritual resume as he walked before God in his tenure as king, Hezekiah prays. He turns his face away from the distractions of the palace and turns to God in prayer. He doesn’t ask God for longevity, but God blesses him with 15 years! He believes the word when it said: “You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.” (Deuteronomy 5:33)
So now, as a child of God what will you do in a similar situation? What will your response be when you face the problems and pains of life? Will you turn from God out of disgust with him or will you turn to God out of your trust in what he’s more than able, willing and available to do for you? I pray that it will be the latter. Be encouraged and lean on the promise of God which is that “the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”(James 5:16)
God Bless!
Pastor John
I give all glory and honour to God almighty for more than second chances. As a child of God I have witness my years of running away from him, not exactly to the extreme as one would like me to believe. However, for it is written that I have committed sin in one context of the biblical commandment I have broken all. In realising this action within myself, I didn’t turn my heart right away as Hezekiah did. Instead I shut down, hoping to lock him (God) out of my life and journey (silly isn’t it). God had other plans for me with him in the picture. Although he knows that I would be angry at myself and forget the world, he chose to still love me. I had told him when I messed up and honest it wasn’t a pray Pastor John, it was strait out conversation with God. “I messed up so what do you wish of me, let me go and be done with me.” The answer came in a form of his affirmation that no other could ever touch, “I love you.”
ReplyDeleteHad I prayed like Hezekiah when I botched my relationship with our Lord God? I had not put this into examination of my heart before. On the other hand, Hezekiah knew what he did to displeased the Lord God, but so did I. Then what was the difference back then and now? God is still God and still a merciful sovereign. Maybe the difference was Hezekiah had received Isaiah the prophet to warn him, and as for me, I received the Comforter; I won’t fool myself to believe that anything change with the way God warns us. In a similar situation now, I would ask God for each moment to teach me how to have a broken heart and a contrite spirit towards him and for my sinful action.
Regarding the problems and pains in this life? Keep praying to God through Jesus Christ our loving Lord by teaching me to stand still and truly believe that he is STILL God, and to stop running. He has solved them before and he will continue to do so, I just have to keep believing. For it is written, “ yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30: 18. Will it be safe to say I hated the world and all that it brings, which I allowed myself to be deluded. When God answers prayers there are no mistakes, no dilution, no what if, only answers that he says with simple grace TRUST him and believe. By Gods grace, he is still in love with all of us and as for me; his way of healing has already taken process in my life.
The interesting piece I will take away from this blog, it has the entire lesson that we as children of God are to affirm about our faith in God. Each time we received the news that will awaken our spiritual and physical battle, turn to him God and have a repented heart and spirit and truly mean it! The danger is we often opt for something else rather than the latter, and fail to see the years God is willing to give to us in more than many second chances. I had chosen James5:16 many years ago and will continue to do so in years to come. I pray that we all hold fast to God unchanging heart and hands.
God Still Love!
Bridge G.
Kanisa