Tag: ask God
Prayer Adds Years!
Scripture reading for July 28: 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.”
God sets the boundaries of each life in terms of how long our stay on earth is. (Psalm 139:16) In our reading today, King Hezekiah became sick and was near death. Isaiah the prophet was sent to him to confirm his upcoming death and he was told to get his affairs in order. But for those who believe that nothing is too hard for God or impossible, there is the option of appealing to God. Hezekiah chose to appeal to God based on his years of service to God and faithfulness of his heart. He wept sincerely as he offered his appeal.
God responded to Hezekiah’s prayer and tears by sending Isaiah back to him with the answer to his appeal. God had heard the prayer, saw his tears and decided to add fifteen more years to his life. We know it wasn’t that Hezekiah was so righteous or faithful, but that God was merciful and had promised to hear the prayers of His people and answer them. Solomon had prayed at the temple’s dedication for God’s people’s prayers to be answered. (1 Kings 8:38-39) Jesus now promises His disciples that whatever they ask in faith in His Name He will answer. (John 16:23-24)
So the question for us today is what is the state of our faith in God and Jesus Christ? Do we respond to Jesus’ invitation to ask Him for whatever we have need of? Are we resting in Jesus’ sinless life of perfect obedience and His sacrifice of body and blood to give us and access to God? Why not ask today and trust God’s promises?
Prayer: Father, I ask you for _____________ today. Thank You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The power of prayer!
Scripture reading for July 26th: Isaiah 36-39
Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The Lord sent the prophet Isaiah to tell him to get his house in order because he was going to die. (Isaiah 38:1) In the next verse, we find Hezekiah turning his face to the wall. He humbly prayed and wept bitterly: “Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” (Isaiah 38:2) Isaiah heard the Lord speak to him again. He was to go back to Hezekiah and tell him that the Lord had heard his prayer and would add 15 years to his life. The Lord also assured him that He would deliver the king and Jerusalem from the Assyrians. (Isaiah 38:4-6)
God also gave Hezekiah a special sign of His favor and mercy. He made the sunlight go back ten steps on the staircase of Ahaz. As God had promised more time, He demonstrated His power to turn back the clock! What a powerful answer to prayer and what grace for a visual sign of the answer!
First, Hezekiah simply reminded God of his life of faith! (James 5:16) He had lived by faith for many years and had a habit of trusting God. Second, Hezekiah was sincere and did not just put on a show. He was real with God about his desire to live. Third, he did not demand anything from God, but simply appealed to the one who held His life in His hands. (Isaiah 38:5) God saw a sincere heart of faith and it moved Him. Faith always moves God and pleases Him! (Mark 11:22-24) (Hebrews 11:6)
If you are facing an impossible situation today, try simply asking God like Hezekiah and trust Him to hear and answer! Here is Hezekiah’s response: “But what can I say: He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul. Lord, by such things men live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live. Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.” Isaiah 38:15-17
What do you want from God?
Scripture Reading for April 3: 1st Kings1-4
I often ask people who come to me for direction in their lives a simple question. If you could do anything you wanted, what would you do with your life? This question opens us up to many possibilities and helps us discern the true desires of our heart. If we have truly committed our way to the Lord and delight ourselves in Him, He tells us that He will give us the desires of our heart! (Psalm 37:4) We will want what He wants!
Newly crowned King Solomon had an encounter with the Lord. He had gone to Gibeon to sacrifice to the Lord and that day offered a thousand burnt offerings! Extravagant worship marked the life of this newly anointed king! That night as Solomon lay asleep, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” (1st Kings 3:4-5) Solomon first thanked the Lord for his kindness to his father David in placing him on the throne. Then he confessed his need for God’s help in ruling His people. He asked for a discerning heart and wisdom to rule wisely. (1st Kings 3:7-9)
This pleased the Lord! Solomon was granted what he asked for! God gave him riches and honor in addition so that there would be no equal among kings of that time. (1st Kings 3:10-14) God’s Word has proved true in history in the life of this son of David!
As we think about the question God asked Solomon, what would you ask the Lord for today? Many would ask for riches and honor first, thinking about what would make them personally happy. When you are a worshiper of the Lord, your focus on God brings His desires into your heart. When we see God’s greatness and understand His great plan of reaching the world, we ask for wisdom and anointing to complete our mission.
Jesus Christ has been made to us wisdom from God! (1st Corinthians 1:30) We are told that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God for it and He will give us liberally! (James 1:5-7) He encourages us to make the same choice King Solomon made. Wisdom is found in knowing Jesus Christ and daily drawing from His wisdom.