Prayer: Father, the time is drawing near for all to put their house in order. My house will not be complete without my relationship with You being in right standing, without my wife and family restoration. My faith and trust are in You! Amen.
Reading: 2 Kings 20 key: vs. 1 “In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. So Isaiah the prophet son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says Adonai: Put your house in order. For you are dying, and will not live.” TLV
Attention: Our time will come. This past year, I watched my dad slip into eternity. I believe because we both know the Lord; we will see each other again. I believe that because my father knew Adonai, he is with Him today and living as a part of the “cloud of witnesses” which are surrounding us (Hebrews 12:1a).
The demonstration of Hezekiah towards the awareness of his impending death illustrates most of our approach when given notice by a prophet or physician. Hezekiah turns his face towards the wall and prays. His prayer seems to be one of desperation.
Several years ago, I was prompted to stop by a friend’s house. She wasn’t home, however, as soon as I began to get back into my car, she arrived. She had just arrived home from her doctor with news that she had cancer. As she told me the news, we hugged, and she broke down in tears. I will never forget her words, “I want to see my grand babies grow up.” She did not have a fear of dying, but of loss.
Hezekiah pleaded with Adonai and “wept bitterly.” He humbled himself before Adonai and Adonai gave Hezekiah 15 years of life. Even though Adonai was gracious to Hezekiah, he later makes a foolish gesture to the king of Babylon who had heard that Hezekiah was sick. In a letter, he invites the king to come see all his treasure and armory. You do not show and tell all with an enemy of Israel and enemy of God. It was Babylon which later marches to Jerusalem and takes all the treasures of God and Israel and takes the choice sons of Israel back to Babylon.
Like Hezekiah and Israel, we can trust and obey the God of Israel, or we can become subject to the enemies of God. It was judgement which Isaiah prophesied was eminent. Isaiah’s message was repentance to Judah. His message is still valid today.
Action: I choose to repent and live in harmony with the God of Israel.
Yield: I choose to yield to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
Engage: I choose to engage with the Holy Spirit in living an obedient, holy, lifestyle.
Relationship: I choose to live in intimate relationship with Adonai.
Prayer: Father, there are hard lessons to learn. Either we learn from the experience and stories of other’s decisions and choices, or we learn from our own experiences. May I choose the easier path by learning from other’s experiences. Amen.
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:11 “Now these things happened to them as an example, and it was written down as a warning to us—on whom the ends of the ages have come.” TLV
Music Video: Red Rocks Worship—I’m Desperate for You https://youtu.be/hanxdwlTwUA?si=PLWp9hfFfLowWgJS
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”