Read 2 Kings 18
Highlights:
Hezekiah’s reign; Assyria invades Judah; Hezekiah and Isaiah pray; Hezekiah’s miraculous healing
I beseech Thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before Thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in Thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore (2 Kings 20:3).
King Hezekiah had become very sick. The news came to him from the prophet Isaiah that he was going to die. Isaiah even instructed the king to take care of any unfinished business, so we can assume his death was close at hand.
Like many of us, Hezekiah was not ready to die. Instead of just resigning himself to this bad news, he decided to do something about it. He prayed a sincere prayer to God.
was no ordinary prayer. Hezekiah put his entire focus towards speaking to God. Hezekiah had things left to do in life. He cried out to God passionately. God heard his prayer as He always does. For the eyes of the LORD are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the LORD is against them that do evil (1 Pet. 3:12).
Isaiah had not traveled far when God spoke to him. He gave the prophet another message to take back to Hezekiah. This message had much better news than the first one.
The Lord was answering Hezekiah's prayer with a yes. God would give him fifteen more years to live. He would not only heal Hezekiah, but there were more blessings to come. These included liberating Judah from enemies around them.
If there was ever any doubt, this account proves prayer changes things. Some might wonder why those that are sick ask for prayer. Scripture has much to say on this. Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him (James 5:14-15).
When sickness comes on you or those around you, remember to pray for the Lord to heal them. God heals in many ways. He uses doctors. Other times He may heal by Himself supernaturally. Though we may be disappointed, there are times that God heals by taking the one who is sick home to be with Him in heaven. This is trying for those left behind. It is the ultimate healing for the believer.
Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed
Thought for Today:
The church of our day must be careful not to let their traditions overrule the commandments of God.
Christ Portrayed:
By Hezekiah, who was faithful in leading the Kingdom of Judah back to God and His Word (2 Kin. 18:1-6) a foreshadowing of the words of Jesus to the Pharisees in His attempt to awaken them to their need to see themselves as sinners and recognize Him as their Savior (Mark 2:17).
Word Studies:
18:6 clave, clung, was devoted to; 18:17 Tartan, the title of Assyria's general, commander in chief; Rabsaris, the chief financial official; Rabshakeh, the chief officer, or possibly chief cup-bearer; 18:31 by a present, by paying tribute; 19:3 bring forth, give birth; 19:7 blast, spirit of bad fortune; 20:3 sore, bitterly and loud.
Prayer Suggestion: If we ask anything agreeing with His will, He both hears and answers (1 John 5:14-15).
Optional Reading: Romans 11
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:18