Appealing to God
Scripture reading for October 5: Isaiah 38:1-5 “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.” Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Please, O Lord, 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. Then the Word of the Lord came to Isaiah: “Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.”
John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?””
How would you process a prophetic Word telling you to prepare to die? This incident was recorded by God for us through the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah was told to tell King Hezekiah to set his house in order because he would die of a sickness that had beset him. Many would follow the instruction and submit to the inevitable, but Hezekiah cried out to God. He humbly besought the Lord for more time. His appeal came from his walk of faith and his faithfulness to follow God’s Word. Hezekiah had dedicated his whole heart to God. An amazing thing happened: God heard his plea and saw his tears and was moved to add fifteen more years to his life!
In John’s Gospel, he recorded an incident where Jesus’ friend Lazarus had died. The sisters, Mary and Martha, had appealed to Jesus to come but Jesus had delayed and Lazarus had been in the grave for four days. Martha declared her faith that Lazarus would rise again at the last day. Jesus then stated that anyone who lived and believed in Jesus would never die. He was the resurrection and the life! Jesus called Lazarus by name to come out and he was restored to life.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for hearing and answering the prayers of Your people. Eternal life is available to all who live and believe. Jesus has called us out of the grave! Amen!
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