USE PEACE AND SECURITY WISELY!
USE PEACE AND SECURITY WISELY!
In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz came to him and said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.’” Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “Go back and tell Hezekiah the leader of My people that this is what the LORD, the God of your father David, says: ‘I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My sake and for the sake of My servant David.’” —II Kings 20:1-6
But Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Will there not at least be peace and security in my lifetime?” —II Kings 20:19
Hezekiah was told by Isaiah the prophet to “Put your house in order, for you are about to die; you will not recover.” How would you respond if that was said to you? Hezekiah “turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, “Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion; I have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the Lord told Isaiah to return and tell Hezekiah— “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. I will surely heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the house of the LORD. I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My sake and for the sake of My servant David.”
Hezekiah showed envoys from Babylon everything that was in his place and dominion. Because of that the Lord revealed to Him through Isaiah the prophet that “The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD” (II Kings 20:17). Hezekiah responded, “The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Will there not at least be peace and security in my lifetime?” Hezekiah would not see this, but those who would come after him would.
The number of our days are surely in His hands. He can add to them or take them away according to His purposes. Hezekiah did have 15 years added to his life and yet, again, he said, “Will there not at least be peace and security in my lifetime?” Is that how we think here in the U.S. as believers? “Well, at least there is peace and security in our lifetime.” Ok, that is fine, but how are we using this time? Are we using it to prepare the next generation or generations of disciples? Oh, that we would be doing so and not just focus on being comfortable… Yes, Dear Father, may we be faithful to the call of Jesus to make disciples, teaching them to obey all that He has commanded us. Yes, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. Please help us to prepare those coming after us and all for Your honor and glory. So may it be… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c441z2h-_fE