Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

August 2nd

Our Bible reading today is in 2 Kings 20,21.

Judah is under siege by Assyria. God would deliver Judah from the hand of Assyria, only to give them into the hands of the Babylonians eight years later. These chapters major on the end of King Hezekiah’s reign in Judah and God’s promises to him before he died.

“In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death.” The king was 39 years old. And he was very sick. Isaiah the prophet came to him and told Hezekiah that his death was near...” get your house in order.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭20:1‬ ‭

Hezekiah wept bitterly. He turned his face away from Isaiah and into the wall for a private time with God. Some say that Hezekiah was the “good king” in the history of the divided kingdom of Israel. Some have said that the young king was closer to God than most in matters of faith and devotion.

Yet when faced with death, Hezekiah wept bitterly. And begged God for more time. Why? Perhaps this young man was scared of death and dying. Maybe he would have been better at a sudden death, with little time to meet it. Maybe he had forgotten that death was not the master. His God was, and death was the Father’s Majestic horse carrying him to the Father’s house in glory. Or maybe Hezekiah genuinely did not want to leave his post as leader in Judah while the nation was in such a perilous conflict with Assyria. Or maybe, he honestly felt that if he had more time, he could adequately have and prepare a son to reign in his place. For at that time, the young king was without an heir to his throne.

God heard Hezekiah’s tearful prayer and gave him fifteen more years. In that time, Hezekiah had a son, Manasseh. And he had 12 years with the boy before he died.

Spurgeon said that “prayer was the burden of a sigh...the falling of a tear...the upward glancing of an eye...when none but God is near”.

By the way, I think that it is important that we take a look at the prayer of Hezekiah for a moment.

“Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭20:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I dont think this was intended to be a self-righteous prayer. Though it sure sounds like one. Or maybe he should have prayed, “Lord, you have been gracious enough to make me who I am. Whatever good is included, be pleased to spare my life in these days.”

So how should we pray? In Christ, we come to pray, not in our name and reputation, but in Jesus’ Name and His righteousness. Let us listen to Jesus...John 16.

“...Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father “in my name”, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing “in my name”. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

‭‭John‬ ‭16:23-24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Ok, Lord, my expectation of answered prayer is in You and your promises, not in me and mine.

Love you, Lord...

Have a great day