We Can Petition God For More Years
In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the LORD says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover."
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, "Remember, LORD, how I have walked faithfully before you and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This 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.' "
Then Isaiah said, "Prepare a poultice of figs." They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered. 2 Kings 20:1-7
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, "Remember, LORD, how I have walked faithfully before you and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him: "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This 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.' "
Then Isaiah said, "Prepare a poultice of figs." They did so and applied it to the boil, and he recovered. 2 Kings 20:1-7
This is one of the most fascinating prayers of petition in the Bible. King Hezekiah was sick and at the point of death. God sent the Prophet Isaiah to him with a specific message, "Put your house in order because you are going to die. You will not recover." That was pretty much a death sentence. God was ready to take Hezekiah home. Hezekiah was simply to put his house in order before dying.
But the problem was: Hezekiah was not prepared to die. He wanted to live a bit longer and so he prayed and wept bitterly before the LORD. Hezekiah reminded God of all the good things he had done and how he had faithfully served the LORD.The heart of God was immediately touched by the king's petition and He sent the prophet Isaiah back to the king with the assurance that he was going to be given fifteen more years of life!
There are several lessons to glean from the passage but I am gripped by just the thought that we can petition God for more years to our lives. I believe there are times when God's children come under attack from the Enemy who threatens to shorten our lives sometimes with sickness and disease but we can pray and petition God to grant us more years to fulfill His Kingdom agenda. In several instances in Scripture, God promises to satisfy us with long life. There is no question about the fact that God has the final say. But could it also be that crying out to God like Hezekiah did might well move the hand of God on our behalf? He granted Hezekiah's petition!
The Psalmist says in Psalm 118:17-18, "I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. The LORD has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death." The Psalmist is insisting on living and not dying so that his life will declare the works of God. May the Lord grant you many more healthy years to live for Him and fulfill your purpose.
But the problem was: Hezekiah was not prepared to die. He wanted to live a bit longer and so he prayed and wept bitterly before the LORD. Hezekiah reminded God of all the good things he had done and how he had faithfully served the LORD.The heart of God was immediately touched by the king's petition and He sent the prophet Isaiah back to the king with the assurance that he was going to be given fifteen more years of life!
There are several lessons to glean from the passage but I am gripped by just the thought that we can petition God for more years to our lives. I believe there are times when God's children come under attack from the Enemy who threatens to shorten our lives sometimes with sickness and disease but we can pray and petition God to grant us more years to fulfill His Kingdom agenda. In several instances in Scripture, God promises to satisfy us with long life. There is no question about the fact that God has the final say. But could it also be that crying out to God like Hezekiah did might well move the hand of God on our behalf? He granted Hezekiah's petition!
The Psalmist says in Psalm 118:17-18, "I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. The LORD has chastened me severely, but He has not given me over to death." The Psalmist is insisting on living and not dying so that his life will declare the works of God. May the Lord grant you many more healthy years to live for Him and fulfill your purpose.
Prayer: Father, I ask for long life and good health so that I will live to declare your works. Amen