The power of supplication (Part 4)
Today I will talk about Hezekiah’s prayer. He knew how to direct his supplication until God changed his mind.
Hezekiah was seriously ill and the prophet Isaiah came to give him a message from the Lord. The message was to tell him that the disease did not come from the devil, but he had to prepare his will because his hour to die had come (2 Kings 20: 1).
Hezekiah broke down in tears and prayed a prayer of supplication against his death. What is interesting here is to see how he guided his prayer of supplication to convince God.
As I said before, when we approach God in prayer of supplication, we must present arguments relating to his word, his promises and principles. Hezekiah knew the word of God and its principles and praying he said: " “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before you in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly "(2 Kings 20: 3).
The prophet Isaiah had accomplished his mission and was out of the house but while Hezekiah was addressing a prayer of supplication to God, He could not resist and was again sent to Isaiah who was still in the middle of the court and said: " “Return and tell Hezekiah the leader of my people, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. And I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for my own sake, and for the sake of my servant David” "(2 Kings 20: 5-6)
Why is it that God changed his mind? It’s not Hezekiah’s tears that influenced God but his words during his prayer of supplication made a difference. He said, " Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before you in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in your sight ". Why did he ask God to remember? Because he wanted to get his attention, to show him that his prayer was based on two scriptures: Proverbs 10: 27 and Psalm 26: 1.
In Proverbs 10: 27 it is written: “The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened ". Since Hezekiah feared God, he asked that his days would be prolonged and it was legitimate. When he said he walked with integrity, he based his prayer on Psalm 26: 1 that says “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity. I have also trusted in the Lord;
I shall not slip "
This is why I encourage Christians to read the bible deeply in order to know the promises reserved to the children of God. In every difficult situation, we must know the divine position and direct the prayer in line with his word and his promises.
Here is my advice: If God takes a position, it is important to trust him even if we do not understand why. During the fifteen years that God added to Hezekiah, he begot a son (Manasseh) who was twelve. He succeeded him and because of him, Israel suffered for more than five decades (2 Kings 21) and that is what God wanted to avoid. So, learn to submit entirely to the perfect will of God
God bless you
Chris Ndikumana