The King was 39. He had been reigning for 14 years. In that time he had accomplished so much (see 2 Chronicles 32:27-30). God had been with him in a remarkable way. He had succeeded in everything he had done. But now he was sick, very sick. An abscess, a malignant boil had appeared a few days ago, making the king seriously ill. Suddenly the prophet Isaiah appeared in Hezekiah's bedroom. His message from God was brief but very plain, "This sickness is terminal." Hezekiah was stunned. Was God displeased with him? What had happened? Hezekiah turned over and turned to prayer. It was a remarkable prayer. He dared to remind God of how he had served the Lord for many years. It seemed to him that God was unfair. But God is a God of grace. He heard Hezekiah's cry and sent Isaiah back with another message. "I have added 15 years to your life." God did more than Hezekiah asked for. He also promised to defend Jerusalem against Assyria. He always does more than we ask for. Hezekiah dared to ask God for a sign that this would happen. In God's grace, He gave an incredible sign. The shadow cast by the sun on the sundial went backward instead of forward and Hezekiah was healed. How did this happen? We do not know. It may have been refraction. God who has created this world and the sun can easily make them do what He wants. What lessons are there for us? First, our God knows the future. Secondly, He hears our prayers and wonderfully answers them. Isn't He a wonderful God? REMEMBER: With God all things are possible - just believe. |
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