Isaiah 39

ScriptureIsaiah 39:8“The word of the Lord you have spoken is good,” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “There will be peace and security in my lifetime.”Observation - What does it say?King Hezekiah opens his palace up for an ancient version of MTV Cribs. He gives some Babylonian visitors a grand tour of the palace and his storehouses showing off all his riches and valuables… things that he and his predecessors had worked centuries to accumulate. As soon as the Babylonian crew leaves, Isaiah walks in the door with yet another message from God: The Babylonians are going to ransack your palace and carry off every bit of wealth you showed off to them. And, if that isn’t enough, they will kidnap your own children too!Rather than tearing his clothes in distress and seeking the Lord for mercy like he had in the past, Hezekiah is complacent and actually calls the news “good”! He was fine with the news because he assumed it would take place after he was dead.Understanding - What does it mean?Hezekiah, a man God put in charge of his people, seems to have had no heart for anyone except himself!We know God would have had mercy if Hezekiah had only prayed. How?God’s actions aren’t just random events. Rather, they are revelations of his character. When God heals someone that is sick, it’s important to recognize that he didn’t merely heal someone. He revealed that it’s in his nature to heal. It's a critical distinction. When God provided enough to pay the bills last month it was a revelation that in his covenant relationship with you, he will always provide. In every action God is trying to reveal to us some part of his unchanging character and the nature of our relationship with him. Then, the next time sickness or financial hardship come we have no excuse to doubt or not turn to him. The fact that God healed and provided in the past is proof that he will heal and provide today if we look to him and trust him.God had revealed to Hezekiah time and again the nature of his covenant relationship with him. He revealed that no matter the threat, sickness or bad news, if Hezekiah would humble himself and pray God would have mercy and deliver him. Although Hezekiah must have learned this about God, he didn’t have enough love for his citizens or even his own children to pray!Contrast this with Philippians 2. Paul encourages the Christians to imitate Christ’s attitude and consider the interests of others instead of just their own. Jesus came and sacrificed himself because he loved the world and not just himself. Timothy was commended for being a man who, when everyone else was looking out for themselves, was genuinely concerned about others. The apostle Paul speaks of weeping for his lost Jewish brothers and sisters and even says he wished he could be cursed and separated from Christ himself if it meant they could be saved (Rom 9:3). Wow! What a contrast when you consider Hezekiah!Life ApplicationDon’t be so self-centered that I only pray hard when I’m the one in trouble!As we approach January and our 28 days of prayer and fasting, even if we aren’t personally feeling desperate for God’s mercy and intervention in our lives (although we are!), why not commit to pray and fast for God’s intervention in the lives of others?God, forgive me for being selfish and self-centered! Make me more like you. Fill us with your heart for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and for the lost who are desperate to know you. Lead us in how to pray for others today and during our 28 days in January. Amen.To check out the discussion or to join in click here.