2 Kings 20:3
The scripture for today is 2 Kings 20:3
2 Kings 20:3 "Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
God sent the prophet Isaiah to give Hezekiah some disturbing news. "Thus says the LORD: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.' " 2 Kings 20:1 This proclamation, on its face, seems final; God had decreed it. But Hezekiah knew that under the covenant, long life was promised to those who were faithful and followed God with a loyal heart. At the time of this pronouncement, Hezekiah was thirty-nine years old. He therefore appealed to the mercy of God even though he had received word from the prophet that he was going to die.
There are lessons to be learned from Hezekiah's life and prayer to God. Sennacherib, the Assyrian king, had come to besiege and conquer Jerusalem and humiliate Hezekiah. In his pride and arrogance, he blasphemed the God of heaven and promised defeat and destruction to God's people. As a result, God sent an angel who destroyed Sennacherib's army in one night. Sennacherib returned home defeated and humiliated. His own sons killed him.
What a contrast between pride and a heart that is loyal to God. Hezekiah asks God to please consider his walk before Him, grant him mercy, and allow him to live. God responded to Hezekiah's prayer and granted him fifteen more years of life. He reversed the death decree that was upon Hezekiah because of the power of prayer.
God loves all of His children and will not turn a deaf ear to those who walk faithfully before Him. He does not always answer each one the same way, but He hears and responds to the prayers of the righteous. "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9 Hezekiah asked and received; we can also by God's grace. "You have not, because you ask not." James 4:2
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim