July 10th - Longer Life

Longer Life

(2 Kings 18:13-37; 19:1-24, 35-36; 20:1-21)

(2 Chronicles 32:1-16, 18-32)

(Isaiah 36:1-22; 37:1-37; 38:1-22; 39:1-8)

Hezekiah’s Prayer

By Rudolf Schofer

1929

“Before Isaiah had left the middle court,

the word of the Lord came to him:

‘Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader 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.

On the third day from now

you will go up to the temple of the Lord.

I will add fifteen years to your life.

And I will deliver you and this city

from the hand of the king of Assyria.

I will defend this city for my sake

and for the sake of my servant David.' "’”

(2 Kings 20:4-6, NIV, emphasis added)

Don’t you just love all of the wonderful promises in God’s Word? The Bible is filled with amazing words of hope and wonder, as the Lord vows to cherish, protect and provide for His people. He offers His guarantee of everlasting love and fellowship to all who will receive Him.

Praying Scripturally, we can intercede for others and petition for ourselves with power and conviction.

Still, doesn’t context count for a lot?

Claiming Another’s Promise

Several years ago, a beloved family member faced final stage cancer. The entire clan gathered to pray for him. More than one faithful individual brought Hezekiah’s answered prayer to mind.

We all agreed in prayer for divine healing for the one who stood on the brink of death. Would the Lord grant him 15 more years, as He had done for Hezekiah?

In the end, God chose to take our loved one much sooner. In fact, less than 15 days elapsed between our corporate conviction-laden intercession and his passing.

Did Jehovah Rapha, the Great Healer, love our family member less than He loved old King Hezekiah? Not likely.

Perhaps we will only understand the wondrous ways of God in Heaven. Maybe when we see the Lord face to face, we will no longer need the answers to our earthly questions.

Will we trust Him anyway?

Will you pray with me?

Jehovah,

You are the only Wise God,

The Healer of our souls

And the Great Physician of our bodies.

Teach us to pray boldly,

Knowing You have all power.

Grant us the humility

And faith

To accept the answers You provide,

Confident that Your choices

Are made in love.

Amen.