Read Isaiah 38
Highlights:
Sickness, prayer, and healing (Is. 38; remember Ex. 15:26). Hezekiah's poem of praise (Is. 38:9-20). His poor judgment because of pride (chap. 39). Prophecy of the Deliverer and Savior (chap. 40).
Our Lord Jesus fulfilled this Scripture prophecy in Isaiah 42:1-2 when He withdrew Himself from hostile religious leaders who were attempting to destroy Him: Behold My Servant, whom I uphold; Mine Elect, in whom My soul delighteth; I have put My Spirit upon Him: He shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry . . . nor cause His voice to be heard in the street (also see Matt. 12:14-19).
The words My Servant in these verses speak of Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah — the King of kings. Jesus could have rightfully said of Himself but didn't: "Behold the great Creator King of kings." Instead it was said of Him: Who, being in the form of God . . . took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (Phil. 2:6-7).
What greater privilege could we have than to be servants in complete obedience to the Creator God — to consider no task too lowly and no sacrifice too great to bring honor to our Lord!
Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:44-45).
Hezekiah lost his golden opportunity to impress the ambassadors of Babylon with his true Source of greatness and strength which were gifts from God. He could have taken them to the Temple and told them how he had spread Sennacherib's letter before the invisible but very real presence of God. Then he could have told them how he had prayed that the strategy of his enemy might be brought to nought, and how in one night God had answered by destroying 185,000 Assyrian soldiers.
He could have told them that, when he became ill and almost died, he turned to God in prayer and God promised him another 15 years of life. The ambassadors of Babylon would have been far more impressed with the power and protection of the unseen hand of his God than they could possibly have been by the mere display of treasures.
Do we fail to tell others what God has accomplished in answer to our prayers? Are opportunities wasted to satisfy our egos as we attempt to impress people with our greatness?
May the Lord help us to join the Apostle Paul in saying: With all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Phil. 1:20-21).
Thought for Today:
And Hezekiah prayed . . . Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that Thou art the Lord (Is. 37:15,20).
Christ Revealed:
As the Creator (Is. 40:28; comp. John 1:1-3); as the Shepherd (Is. 40:11; comp. John 10:11); as the Redeemer (Is. 41:14; comp. Gal. 3:13; I Pet. 1:18-19; Rev. 5:9).
Word Studies:
38:10 residue remainder; 40:2 comfortably kindly and tenderly; 40:12 meted out measured; span spread of the fingers; 42:4 isles Gentiles are mentioned in Is. 42:1, so the isles in 42:4 refer to the isles of the Gentiles (see Gen. 10:5); 42:13 jealousy his fury.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Beth Carlton • Country: Slovakia (5 million) central Europe • Major languages: Slovak and Hungarian • Religious freedom • 60% Roman Catholic; 8% Protestant; 4% Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to teach you His ways (Ps. 27:11).
Optional Reading:
Memory Verse for the Week:
2 Timothy 3