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2 Kings 20:1-11; Isaiah 38:1-8; 2 Chronicles 32:24-31; Isaiah 38:9-22; 2 Kings 20:12-19; Isaiah 39:1-8<\/strong><\/span> In 2 Kings 20 today we read about King Hezekiah\u2019s sickness and recovery.\u00a0 <\/span>The thing that stood out to me in these passages is that after Hezekiah heard from Isaiah that he was going to die, Hezekiah did not just wallow in sorrow and let what was supposed to happen, happen.\u00a0 <\/span>No!\u00a0 <\/span>What does Hezekiah do?\u00a0 <\/span>He prays to the living God!\u00a0 <\/span>This is convicting and encouraging for me. I am afraid that sometimes I will just wallow in my sorrow over a situation, when I should be praying about the situation to God!\u00a0 <\/span>If we don\u2019t take it to God in prayer, how can God really help us?\u00a0 <\/span>I know that oftentimes God does show amazing mercy to us and do things for us when we do not pray.\u00a0 <\/span>But, why don\u2019t we pray to God in times of sorrow?\u00a0 <\/span>How about you \u2013 when sorrow comes to your doorstep, do you take the situation to God in prayer? Below is an image of Isaiah warning Hezekiah of his impending death in verse 1 \u2013 and Hezekiah immediately praying!<\/span><\/p>\n Hezekiah later in this chapter receives envoys from Babylon. U<\/span>nfortunately, he is a bit too hospitable with these envoys\u2026\u00a0 <\/span>He believes showing off his wealth will prove that he has worldly power and that the Babylonians will respect him and Judah.\u00a0 <\/span>Isaiah sees that Hezekiah is relying on worldly wealth and not God, and Isaiah delivers a word from God that Judah will be exiled to Babylon\u00a0 Indeed, this comes true in 115 years from when Isaiah delivers this word in this chapter.\u00a0 <\/span>We will read more about the Babylonian exile later in this year\u2019s One Year Bible readings.\u00a0 <\/span>How about us, in our lives today \u2013 do we try to impress people with our worldly wealth or toys or stuff, like Hezekiah was trying to impress the Babylonians?\u00a0 <\/span>And further, do we actually try to rely on this worldly stuff rather than rely on God?\u00a0 Is this dangerous?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I love Hezekiah\u2019s poem of praise in chapter 38.\u00a0 Verse 16 stood out to me: \u201cLord, your discipline is good, for it leads to life and health.\u201d <\/em>Would you agree with Hezekiah on this point?\u00a0 Is God\u2019s discipline good?\u00a0 Does God\u2019s discipline lead to life and health? Are you accepting God\u2019s discipline in your life today?\u00a0 I found this little reminder of some \u201cgood discipline\u201d from a school website below.\u00a0 Not quite \u201cthe\u201d Golden Rule below, but overall good stuff!\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42<\/span> Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s readings in Isaiah chapter 38 titled \u201cThe Deliverance of Judah\u2019s King\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today\u2019s readings in 2nd Kings reminded me of Laura Story\u2019s song \u201cOne Life to Lose:\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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