Word of Encouragement (08/08/2024)
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)
How did God respond to Hezekiah’s prayer? “And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Turn back, and say to Hezekiah the leader of my people, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord, and I will add fifteen years to your life...’” (vv. 4-6). Oh, how quickly the Lord answered his prayer—“And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court...”!
This incident makes us wonder whether our prayer has the power to make God change His mind. Hezekiah prayed this desperate prayer because the Lord sent Isaiah to tell him that his end was near. But when Hezekiah prayed, God extended his life for fifteen years. Do you find this encouraging that you may be able to change God’s plan with your prayer?
For many people, this is what fuels the fervency of their prayer. They believe that, if they prayed long and hard and sincerely enough, God would answer their prayer even if He had to change His mind. They do not necessarily equate this with the animistic prayer, “Not your will but my will be done.” They view it as a sign of God’s love: God loves them so much that He is willing to change His will to listen to the cries of their hearts.
But what does such belief say about God? God can change His will and plan. If so, what does that say about His original will? Either it was not as good as our will or He doesn’t care about us enough to give us what is best but gives us whatever we want. Is that the kind of God we want—a cosmic Butler who will support us unto our destruction or a sovereign Lord, who uncompromisingly accomplishes His good purpose for us? Do you want to have what you want to your ruin or what is good for you?
But isn’t it obvious that God changed His mind in this incident? Not necessarily. Why did God send Isaiah to him with the message of his impending death? Could it be that God was drawing out this prayer from Hezekiah? Why? To remind him that God is the Lord of life and death, and he is but a helpless creature though a king. To show him that God is merciful and gracious to those who humble themselves before Him. And to teach us these things through this incident. How can we not pray?