Start Anew

[Christ4Ever]

Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, "Now, O LORD, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 2 Kings 20:2-3 ESV

King Hezekiah was sick to the point of death when the Lord spoke through Isaiah and told him to set his house in order, for he was about to die. Hezekiah reminded God about his constant faithfulness to Him. He didn’t specifically ask for more time, but he certainly implied it. And the Lord granted him fifteen more years.

Imagine living such a faithful life that you could make such a request of God on your own deathbed. Hezekiah’s faithfulness was not good enough to “earn” him more time. But his heart was right with the Lord, so much so that he felt comfortable enough to pray such a prayer.

Maybe you are thinking, I’m no Hezekiah. I could never request such a thing from God. But because you are a child of God, He will hear your prayers if you are repentant. If you’ve fallen short, you can start anew today—not because you want to live longer, and not because doing so will better attune God’s ear to your requests, but rather because you want to honor Him.

Prayer: Father, I earnestly desire to walk faithfully with You, even though I have fallen short. Help me start anew.

 

[Curtis]

Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, saying, "Now, O LORD, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 2 Kings 20:2-3 ESV

King Hezekiah was sick to the point of death when the Lord spoke through Isaiah and told him to set his house in order, for he was about to die. Hezekiah reminded God about his constant faithfulness to Him. He didn’t specifically ask for more time, but he certainly implied it. And the Lord granted him fifteen more years.

Imagine living such a faithful life that you could make such a request of God on your own deathbed. Hezekiah’s faithfulness was not good enough to “earn” him more time. But his heart was right with the Lord, so much so that he felt comfortable enough to pray such a prayer.

Maybe you are thinking, I’m no Hezekiah. I could never request such a thing from God. But because you are a child of God, He will hear your prayers if you are repentant. If you’ve fallen short, you can start anew today—not because you want to live longer, and not because doing so will better attune God’s ear to your requests, but rather because you want to honor Him.

Prayer: Father, I earnestly desire to walk faithfully with You, even though I have fallen short. Help me start anew.

I am reminded of the Apostle Paul who was nearing the end of his life, but he knew the troubles the Church would encounter from his departure.
He wanted to leave to be with Christ but he did not want to leave the Church of which he built the foundation.

Php 1:23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.
Php 1:24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
Php 1:25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.

Wanting to stay alive just so you can help those in need is a really good motive to pray to God for the furtherance of time which I believe God honors.

1Jn 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

 

[*Lavender]

This all shows a two way relationship and that God does answer the prayers of the righteous. James 5:16
Abraham bargained with God to spare Sodom. Genesis 18:23-25

God does have compassion and that's known to His children and in these examples, where God honoured the compassion of others.
Jonah in contrast to Abraham didn't have compassion and God had to do works in him, to deliver the message to Ninevah.