Reminding God of Our Journey
Main scripture:
2 Kings 20:1-11 (NLT) 1 About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the Lord says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.”
2 When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly.
4 But before Isaiah had left the middle courtyard, this message came to him from the Lord: 5 “Go back to Hezekiah, the leader of my people. Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you, and three days from now you will get out of bed and go to the Temple of the Lord. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own honor and for the sake of my servant David.’”
7 Then Isaiah said, “Make an ointment from figs.” So Hezekiah’s servants spread the ointment over the boil, and Hezekiah recovered!
8 Meanwhile, Hezekiah had said to Isaiah, “What sign will the Lord give to prove that he will heal me and that I will go to the Temple of the Lord three days from now?”
9 Isaiah replied, “This is the sign from the Lord to prove that he will do as he promised. Would you like the shadow on the sundial to go forward ten steps or backward ten steps?”
10 “The shadow always moves forward,” Hezekiah replied, “so that would be easy. Make it go ten steps backward instead.” 11 So Isaiah the prophet asked the Lord to do this, and he caused the shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz!
Hezekiah's prayer is a profound lesson in spiritual intimacy. He does not approach God with a list of demands but instead with a heartfelt reminder of his faithful journey. This act of remembering is powerful. It invites us to consider our own spiritual history, the moments where we've walked closely with God, and the times when our faith has guided our actions.
Reflect on your life. Think of the times when you've acted out of faith, even when it was difficult. Like Hezekiah, remind God of these moments. This isn't about boasting of our righteousness but about acknowledging the relationship and faithfulness that has defined our walk with God.
God's response to Hezekiah is equally profound. “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.” Notice, God does not just listen; He sees. He recognises the sincerity of Hezekiah’s heart and his tears. It is a reminder that God is not distant; He is intimately aware of our struggles and our devotion.
The story doesn't end with just a promise; it concludes with a sign and a miracle. Hezekiah is not only healed but also given a sign as the shadow goes back ten steps on the stairway of Ahaz. This miracle is a testament to God's power but also to His responsiveness to the cries of a faithful heart.
As you reflect on Hezekiah’s story, consider your own life. How have you walked with God? What are the moments of faith that define your spiritual journey? Use these reflections as part of your dialogue with God. Remember, it’s not just about asking God for what we need; it’s about fostering a relationship that celebrates past faithfulness and anticipates future blessings.
Let's end with a prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful examples of faithfulness we find in Your Word. Like Hezekiah, we come to You not only with our needs but with a remembrance of our journey together. We remind You of our faith, our trials, and our devotion, trusting that You see us and hear us. Grant us the courage to maintain this open and honest dialogue with You, and may we witness Your miracles in our lives. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray, Amen.
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