2 Kings 20
Bible Passage: 2 Kings 20
Hezekiah was sick unto death, in the same year in which the King of Assyria besieged Jerusalem. Verse 3 records how he wept bitterly in his prayer to God to remember him.
“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.”
God always hears the prayers of the broken hearted and He will give us strength and grace to get through whatever we are facing. Trouble is, are we ourselves willing to invest time in prayer?
THE IMPORTANCE OF PRAYER
Why do I spend so little time in prayer?
Painfully aware that I can easily spend 3 hours watching telly but less than 30 minutes in prayer, this simple task of praying seems impossible.
Often we might take for granted the privilege of talking to God. As we cultivate the good and necessary habit of praying constantly and daily, we bare our hearts before Him, pour out our sorrows and burdens and we feel closer to Him.
When we come before God in prayer we give Him full control of our situation. He wants us to trust in Him fully and understand that the solution to our problems is beyond our abilities.
If Hezekiah had not prayed so earnestly and passionately, his life would not have been extended.
I read from somewhere that being consistent in our prayer life is like a bank savings plan, helping us to save money without taking a big bite of our paycheck.
Have you prayed today?
HEZEKIAH’S RECEPTION
By granting Hezekiah an additional 15 years to live, God was granting him two gifts. The first gift was extending his life, the second He gave him the gift of knowing how much time he had left.
If Hezekiah was wise, this would motivate him to walk in the way of the Lord.
Unfortunately, pride got in the way. Wanting to please the Babylonian envoys, he bared all the riches of his kingdom.
Like many, Hezekiah succumbed to the temptation of success. He was proud of the flattery that came from the Babylonians, and took the honour to himself when it actually belongs to God. He gave himself credit for success and robbing God of the glory.
Again, it is easy to point fingers and condemn him. But let us take a real good look at ourselves, at our hearts.
How about in terms of church work?
When we hear praises and compliments coming from brethren, it is natural to feel flattered and happy. But it is important to remember, our talents and opportunities to work for God comes only from Him. God gives us our skills and abilities, to serve others and not to despise them.
In our servitude, we must also evaluate our motives.
If we are not careful and guard our hearts, pride will creep insidiously into our hearts.
Often I feel as though I am tiptoeing through a minefield..there are so many things to look out for and be wary about.
We have to consistently examine ourselves and be diligent in prayer, to be constantly sober and vigilant, because the devil works doubly hard to attack us from all angles.
Throughout history we read many examples of God-fearing and faithful men who were unfortunately, blinded by pride.
Indeed humility is the hardest lesson to learn, especially when we gain recognition of Man.
We must always remember that without God we are nothing, and it is He who gives us our blessings and strength.
One Comment
PS
“By granting Hezekiah an additional 15 years to live, God was granting him two gifts. The first gift was extending his life, the second He gave him the gift of knowing how much time he had left.” Well said, can’t agree more.
Most of the time, we are not ready bec we don’t know how much more time we have. Although we don’t know, most of us live as if we know that we have much much more.
The story in 2 Kings 20 is also recorded in Isaiah 38:1-8, 21-22, 39:1-8 and 2 Chron 32:24-26 and 31-33. They must be important events for them to be recorded repeatedly in the bible.
2 Chron 32:31…God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart.
Does God not know Hezekiah’s heart? Well, this point is too big for me to think.
i m thinking more of God withdrew from Hezekiah and immediately he fell prey to the pride of life.
2 Chron 32:25 gives the clue: But Hezekiah did not repay according to the favour shown him, for his heart was lifted up.
By the same train of thought, when we receive blessings and grace from God but we do not repay according to the favours show us, we leave a foothold for the devil to work. The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life creep in.
Before we are reduced to a heap of dust, we become nothing even when we are still breathing bec each breath does not bring us nearer to eternal life in heaven. Liken to the fifteen years of life of Hezekiah lived in vain.
A waste of strength from God.
Sad vanity.