 |
| King Hezekiah and the Prophet Isaiah |
The Lord told king Hezekiah to set his house in order because he was going to die. Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and wept bitterly and prayed that he would not die. The Lord added fifteen more years to Hezekiah’s life, during which time he fathered a son named Manasseh. His son became king after him, and reigned 55 years. He massacred more Hebrews than any king before or after him, until Jerusalem was filled with innocent blood from one end to the other.
If king Hezekiah had died at the time God told him to get his house in order, Manasseh wouldn’t have been born, and many wouldn’t have suffered horrible deaths.
At times we may misjudge God’s decisions and the things He allows, but God is loving, and good, and faithful. A lot of times He's working behind the scenes to prevent tragedies... but for Hezekiah, his impending death just made him wail the ugly cry.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV) "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
We can learn to trust God no matter what the circumstances appear to be at present. It may take some time, but if we draw near to God, He'll draw near to us. He reveals Himself to those who want to know Him.
Psalm 40:5 (NKJV) Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove