Day 206 – Isaiah 37-39, Psalm 78

Talking Points

• Hezekiah has followed God, seeking to honor Him. Even so, he finds himself in real danger as the king of Assyria prepares for battle. Hezekiah seeks out the Word of God through the prophet Isaiah. His wisdom and help would come from the Lord. May we be just as quick to turn to God.
• Isaiah sends word that Hezekiah should not be afraid. The angel of the LORD fights on their behalf, killing 185,000 in one night! Again, God delivers.
• Hezekiah reveals something important in his prayer to God. As he concludes, he prays that, in God’s working, “all the kingdoms of the earth may know that [He] alone…[is] God” (Isaiah 37:20). Hezekiah seeks God’s glory above all else.
• Hezekiah becomes mortally ill. In fact, God tells him to prepare to die. Hezekiah’s response reveals the heart of us all — we are built to live, and our hearts long for life. Because, the truth is, life is God’s plan and intent, and death and its impact are the result of sin. Death doesn’t feel right, because it’s not right. Praise the Lord for Jesus, who overcame the grave and defeated death!

Thoughts

Under great stress and with trouble coming, Hezekiah consults Isaiah, seeking God’s Word on the matter. Then we read that Hezekiah goes to the temple “and spread it out before the LORD” (37:14). He prays intently, praising God, seeking God, and asking for His help. He lays the entire matter out, holding nothing back. It is a great show of humility and trust.

Today, this struck me: How many times do I pray token prayers, expected prayers? I need God’s help, so I quickly voice a prayer to enlist Him into my efforts. Then, I move on. And, how many times do I come in humility and spread it out before the Lord? How many times do I praise Him that I can come, and then lay it out as if He were the only answer? How many times do I pray trusting Him to actually act?

I want to pray like that. Always.

Lord, forgive me for hollow prayers. Thank You that You do hear and respond. Thank You for grace as I figure it out.