Have you ever tried to do everything right with disappointing results?
In 2 Kings 20, Hezekiah knew the feeling. Hezekiah “became ill and was at the point of death.” He was visited by Isaiah who told him he would die. Hezekiah knew it was imminent as the prophet told him to “put his house in order.”
Wow.
Hezekiah was told how his story would end. But he didn’t like the last chapter.
We are told “Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, ‘Remember Lord, how I have walked faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly.”
Before Isaiah was out the door, “the word of the Lord came back to him: ‘Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, This is what the Lord, the God of your father David says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you.”” 2 Kings 20: 2-5a (NIV)
Are you spellbound?
God said, “I have heard your prayers and seen your tears.”
And God extended his life fifteen years over what He previously said.
I haven’t been told my tears or prayers have changed an outcome. But I do believe God sees us and watches us. He hears us, in both what we say and what our hearts tell Him.
He loves us as His children, so His eye is always on us, and He is constantly listening for our uplifted praise and cries for help.
While Hezekiah had first received a dire diagnosis, he responded in a prayer to God. He reached out to the Almighty and revealed his heart through words that certainly reached his Father’s ears.
Would we have blamed Hexekiah had he sunk into a depression, too overwhelmed to form a sentence, or too angry with God to speak to Him?
But a man who had served God, knew God. God was personal to him. Hezekiah felt he could be himself with God, tell him what exactly was on his mind, and get it off his chest.
God responded kindly. He didn’t chastise Hezekiah for his feelings or choice of words. He didn’t remind Hezekiah that He is God and He is in control of the universe and everything in it.
He responded with compassion and caring. Humility and healing. He was willing to change His pronouncement.
And He was specific, so Hezekiah knew exactly how much time he’d been given.
Besides extreme relief that he wouldn’t die in the next few days, how do you imagine Hezekiah felt?
I would imagine feeling extraordinarily loved and cherished. But I wonder if that feeling was something Hezekiah already knew and treasured in his relationship with the Lord?
I pray you and I prioritize talking with God on a regular basis. He watches us and listens to us because He loves us deeply, more than we can imagine.
When we pray, we aren’t just speaking words to a big blue sky, taking a chance God might hear snatches on the wind. No, we can be sure He hears every word, He sees every sigh, each hurt that crushes our hearts, and knows each hope we hang on tomorrow.
He knows all this because He loves, cherishes and treasures us. Sometimes it is difficult to fathom He notices and loves even one child who may have lost his or her way.
Yet, He absolutely does.
If you are in a place where this love is hard to imagine, will you join me in a prayer for understanding just that?
Prayer: Dear Lord, Sometimes Your great love can be hard to comprehend. It’s amazing to think You see me and hear me. Allow me to come to You to speak and help me learn to listen. Thank You God, that You do indeed see me and hear me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.