Posts Tagged ‘Hezekiah’

Because You Prayed

Wednesday, September 29th, 2010

I hope to have a heart-to-heart with God when I reach heaven because I have a few questions that need answers. Here’s one: What difference does prayer make if You rule over everything and have established purposes for our lives from before creation?

I wrestle with this question occasionally. How can my measly petitions change the outcome of a particular situation if God already knows its ending? Why does God tell me to pray without ceasing, to pour out my heart to Him, to bring all my requests to Him when He holds the script? This is a mystery to me. And yet, I know that prayer changes things.

King Hezekiah knew it, too. That’s why he continually sought God’s help. When an enemy king sent him a threatening letter, he didn’t waste time wringing his hands in worry. Rather, he spread the letter before the Lord and prayed. And God answered. Immediately afterwards, Isaiah sent a message to Hezekiah saying, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says, “Because you prayed about King Sennacherib of Assyria, the LORD has spoken this word against him…” (Isaiah 37:21). Then came a promise of the enemy’s defeat.

What might have happened if Hezekiah had tried to fight the enemy without God’s help? Or what might have transpired if he’d thrown up his hands in despair and waved the white flag of surrender? Or what if he’d succumbed to fear and gone into hiding? Only God knows. But this one thing we know – Hezekiah prayed, and his prayer played a role in history.

Because you prayed…three words that can change everything.

How do those three words apply to us today? Here’s an example….

Cancer claimed the life of a friend last Friday. She was only 47. She leaves behind a grieving husband and two young children. People prayed, and prayed, and prayed for her healing but their prayers appeared unanswered. At least through our limited perspective.

And yet, when I read her blog written as she processed thoughts of dying and preparing for eternity, I see God’s presence with her. I see how He carried her through months of treatment and failing health. I see how He helped her learn to trust Him implicitly and come to a place of rest. When she died on Friday morning, she left this world wearing a smile. How might the past three years have been different for her if people hadn’t prayed on her behalf? She might have died an angry, bitter woman.

Because you prayed…three words that can change everything. No matter what you’re facing today, know that prayer works. Give God the honor He’s due as Hezekiah did, and then bare your heart to Him. Share your concerns with Him. Tell Him what’s causing you pain or driving you mad. And trust Him to move on your behalf.  

How have you seen the truth behind these three words played out in your life?

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Voices – Part 2

Monday, September 27th, 2010

In the last blog, I wrote about negative voices and how we must choose whether to listen to them or ignore them. Isaiah 36 tells the story of an official Hebrew trio who were driven to despair through an enemy’s threats. When they relayed his words to King Hezekiah, he, too responded with despair. But then he did something worth noting.

First, he went into the Temple of the Lord (Isaiah 37:1). Second, he sought help by sending his assistants to speak with the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 37:2).

I believe Hezekiah’s response shows a lot of wisdom and sets a great example for us. When we’re dealing with a negative voice – whether an actual person verbalizing his opinion or the enemy whispering lies in our heads – it’s easy to become discouraged. If or when that happens, we can turn it around by doing what the king did – take our concerns to God and if necessary, solicit the help of godly friends. Doing so helps put the situation into proper perspective and gives courage.

How did God respond to Hezekiah? He said, “Do not be disturbed by this blasphemous speech (emphasis mine) against me from the Assyrian king’s messengers. Listen! I myself will move against him, and the king will receive a message that he is needed at home. So he will return to his land, where I will have him killed with a sword” (vv. 6,7).

The negative voice sent Hezekiah and the official trio into a royal tailspin, but God told them not to worry about it. He reminded them that He was in control and aware of the words that were spoken. He would hold that person accountable for the message spoken against Him and His people.

Likewise, negative voices can intimidate us, make us feel as though there’s something wrong with us, or steal our joy and enthusiasm for what we believe God has called us to do – if we let them. But we can overcome by remembering that when we’re living according to His pleasure and purposes, God will take responsibility for us and come to our defense. Our job is to keep our focus on Him.

What practical advice can you offer re: rising above the negative voice and message we often hear?

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First Response

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

We can’t choose when the storms of life strike, nor can we choose their nature. But we can choose how we’ll respond, says Max Lucado in his new book, Fearless.

When the wind blows and the waves thrash, we sometimes respond based on our emotions. We throw angry words at our husband and kids. We seek solitude, isolating ourselves from family and friends. We allow our minds to be overrun with fearful thoughts. The result? Stress, ulcers, and sleeplessness. There’s a much better way…

King Hezekiah faced a storm when his enemies threatened his kingdom. His response is a great example for us to follow (Isaiah 37:1-3): 

  • He tore his clothes and put on sackcloth. Wait a minute – I’m not endorsing this behavior for you and me, okay? But I am endorsing the attitude his actions demonstrated – total humility, absolute dependence on God. He admitted that he was scared to death, aware that the storm could blow him and his kingdom away unless Divine assistance rushed to the rescue.
  • He went into the Temple to pray. Amen, brother! He poured out his heart to God. He knew God was willing and able to help, so he headed that direction – pronto. Smart man.
  • He enlisted the help of others. Hezekiah nabbed his right-hand helpers, explained the situation to them, and sent them running to Isaiah, a well-respected man of God. They relayed Hezekiah’s concern and asked Isaiah to pray for them.

When the storms of life blow in on us, we’re faced with a choice. How should we respond? Let’s not allow our emotions to dictate our actions. Instead, let’s do as Hezekiah did and take our fears to God. Let’s be honest with Him about how we feel, and acknowledge our dependence on Him. Then let’s enlist the help of godly friends who will support us in prayer.

God will answer us, just as He answered Hezekiah. The outcome might not be what we expect, but we can rest assured that God is in control of every detail.

Do you have any insights re: the choice we face when the storm blows in?

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