Daily Thought

A prayer such as we look at today could raise many questions. We, of course, wonder whether Hezekiah was right to ask to live when God has said that he would die and not live. No doubt from the king’s point of view this came as a terrible shock and was beyond his understanding. He wept and brought before the Lord all the values of his godly reign. These were true but the Lord knew them all very well. At that stage it seemed that Hezekiah’s life span was over, and the decree was that he should die.

We know that life is precious, and the thought of death is hard to accept. God answered his prayer, but it appears from subsequent events that Hezekiah declined in his way of life from that point onwards. We recall that during the extended period of his life, Manasseh, one of the nation’s wickedest kings, was born. Also, the king received a severe rebuke from Isaiah concerning his pride when the ambassadors from Babylon visited him. The people paid for this in later years, 20. 12-19.

Although life is very dear, the will of God with its priorities must be the higher law that governs our prayers. Jesus taught His disciples to say, ‘Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven’, Matt. 6. 10. Remember too His words in the garden, ‘Not my will, but thine, be done’, Luke 22. 42. When we bring our desires to the Lord in prayer, we can know that His wisdom and ability are infinite. His knowledge of life’s pathway is perfect all the way through. We can trust Him.

There were times in Israel’s history when we read that God granted them their request, but he also sent leanness into their souls. Physically they got what they wanted; spiritually they lost out. Perhaps we can detect this progression in Hezekiah’s case, for God’s response to his impassioned plea should have resulted in greater godliness, not dismal decline! We should take instruction from this. God’s will is always best for us. He cannot make a mistake. Though we cannot see where He is taking us, we say as we submit, ‘Thy will be done’, and simply trust. One day all will be clear.

Thought: - Our trust should submit to God’s timing.