2 Kings 20-21: I Have Heard Your Prayers

King Hezekiah was deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah told him that he would die.  Can you imagine some guy coming up to you and saying, "By the way, God said, 'you're gonna die'"? (Beautiful Grace Version).

With bitter weeping, Hezekiah begged God to spare his life.

You see, God did respond to Hezekiah.



2 Kings 20:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)

I have heard your prayer.  I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you.


God granted Hezekiah's request, but the future did not bode well because of it. Hezekiah used the extra time on earth foolishly.  He showed Babylon's embassy all the treasuries of Judah.  In reading these verses, I sense pride in Hezekiah actions.  Pride in his riches.  Pride in his possessions.  Hezekiah seemed to be showing off his expensive toys to the bully next door.  Not a smart move.

Isaiah, comes again with a severe word from the Lord.



2 Kings 20:17-18
Amplified Bible (AMP)


Behold, the time is coming when all that is in your house, and that which your forefathers have stored up till this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left, says the Lord.

And some of your sons who shall be born to you shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of Babylon’s king.

What is most shocking to me is Hezekiah's reaction. No tears.  No beseeching God for the generations to come, just a self-centered attitude of it doesn't affect me, so, all good.

2 Kings 20:19
Amplified Bible (AMP)


Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, The word of the Lord you have spoken is good. For he thought, Is it not good, if [all this evil is meant for the future and] peace and security shall be in my days?

Have you ever been in a situation where you begged God to intervene?  I have.

I have been thinking about Hezekiah because recently, because I sought God with bitter tears in regards to a situation, which I felt was intolerable.  God granted my request, a request that He had denied numerous times in the past ten years.

Will begging the Lord to do things my way impact future generations?  I pray that it would not be so.

I am on the right path at the right time! Since comparing myself to Hezekiah, I lost count as to how many times, my Father has reassured me. No, I am not Hezekiah.  I am a beloved daughter of the King of the Universe, and I do care about the future knowing that my actions will impact my progeny. 

Holy Spirit, we all have been in situations where we feel overwhelmed.  We cry out to You because that's what children do, ask their Daddy for help.  I thank You for understanding our mortal frame with all of its weaknesses.  We embrace our weaknesses knowing Your strength will be made manifest in our weaknesses. The future belongs to You, Lord.  Open our ears that we might hear Your direction and empower us to follow Your commands.  In the great name of Jesus, AMEN!!!