Word of Encouragement (08/07/2024)
In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, saying, 3 “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 20:1-3)
When Hezekiah was notified of his impending death, he prayed. What did he pray for? “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.”
Notice what he does not do. In his previous prayer for God’s deliverance from the invasion of Sennacherib, Hezekiah appealed to God’s honor, which the pagan king insulted and blasphemed. In this prayer, he does not. He knows he cannot claim that his death will bring dishonor to God’s name. For it is appointed for man to die sometime (Heb. 9:27). It is true that God has bound Himself to us through the new covenant in Jesus Christ. That means that His honor is bound up with us. We can bring dishonor to God when we commit shameful and sinful acts and walk in a manner not worthy of our new status as God’s children. But we cannot peg all our petitions to God’s honor as if God’s honor would fade away if He did not grant us every desire of our hearts. God is certainly honored when we give Him praise and thanks for His bountiful blessings. But isn’t it true that God is even more glorified when we praise Him and serve Him steadfastly even in times of hardship?
Another thing Hezekiah does not do is to spell out what he desires. He simply appeals to God’s mercy by asking Him to remember all that he has done in service of God. He reminds God that he has walked before Him in faithfulness and with a whole heart and has done what is good in His sight. Does he think that his faithfulness merits God’s favor? Not necessarily. He may be simply presenting his case and leaving it to the Lord to decide. And he leaves it to the Lord to do what He deems good. This demonstrates his humble spirit and broken heart.
It is wise to humble ourselves before God. David said, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Ps. 51:17). Nothing reaches the heart of God faster than our humble posture before Him. “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ex. 34:6); “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22).
It is wise to leave it to the Lord to do what seems best to Him rather than insist on our own ways. For He is wiser than we are; He knows what is best for us: “Whate’er my God ordains is right; / though now this cup, in drinking, / may bitter seem to my faint heart, / I take it, all unshrinking.” If we truly understand that He is good, it would be our delight and relief to pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” If we can pray this prayer with all sincerity, what peace shall fill our hearts!