More Lessons from Hezekiah

Ah, my dear King Hezekiah. God has been gracious to you. I read that you were sick unto death. The Word of the Lord came to you letting you know this would be it. You would not recover. You have been warned and now can be sure to get your house in order. But you weren't ready for that. 

You turned away from others to God alone and wept privately before Him, reminding Him of your faithfulness through the years. And God heard your cry.

Another word was sent, a promise of fifteen more years. Imagine that! More days, weeks, and months. More time.

But, my dear King Hezekiah. You did not end well. You caved to praise from men. You became a man-pleaser. 

The Babylonian king, hearing of your grave sickness, sent an envoy to comfort you. You were flattered, indeed! Babylon is one of the super powers. And Judah is very small. How wonderful that he was attentive to you! And you fell all over yourself to impress him, showing him EVERY treasure of the kingdom. Spices, aromatic oils, the military armory were all viewed. The Palace was on full display. Gems, golden goblets, silver chalices -- all were revealed with great pride! Nothing was held back. And the Babylonian envoy was duly impressed. 

God also took note. He sent His Word to you through Isaiah. "The time will come when all of this treasure will be taken away by Babylon. Nothing will be left." He continued. "Some of your very own sons will be taken into exile and become eunuchs serving in the Babylonian court."

And, King Hezekiah, I regretfully submit that your response is amongst the saddest verses in the Bible. 

Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the Lord is good." For the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime."             Isaiah 39.8

Oh, my dear King Hezekiah! This is not a father's heart. This is certainly not our Father's heart! How have you chosen to spend your days, months, and years? Is it for your own safety and pleasure, your own success? Please choose more wisely, dear King Hezekiah!

Here's a secret: I am getting older every day. The weeks are flying by now. The months slip away. Almost daily I am wont to turn my head to the wall to weep privately, crying out to God for more time. Oh God, more strength. More energy. More time...

But today Hezekiah's words have reminded me that this plight is not his alone, nor is it mine. It is common to all of humanity. Our time here is limited. Finite. Coming to an end. We all know that. Or we certainly should.

And today, as I read that very sad verse once again, I find my cry for more time being challenged:      What will you do with that time? How will you use it? How have you been using the time already allotted you? 

Oh, my Father in Heaven, You have found me out and laid my heart bare once again. What an amazingly true, faithful, and loving God you are.

Oh, dear God, help me to be faithful with each and every precious moment before me. Let me set my eyes upon You afresh this day, and every day. Let me bow humbly and say, This is the day You have made. Let me be glad and rejoice in it. And let me serve You fully, with my every thought, my every word, my every deed.