Hezekiah

I was recently reminded of this Bible story, found in 2 Kings 18-20, of King Hezekiah, loyal to the Lord, faithful servant and fearless leader of Israel. While he did everything to honor the Lord, he was faced with trials of his own. A foreign king threatens to kill him and to take all of Israel captive because Hezekiah would not bow down to him. The enemy was big and though Hezekiah mourned the news, the first thing he did was cry out to his God. The Lord listened to his prayer and sent his angels to slay the enemy at their own camp, thus driving away the enemy King.

But this isn't the only prayer the Lord answers. As Hezekiah is on his death bed, he asks God to remember him and to let him live--which the Lord does. But Hezekiah is told that there will be suffering and suffering there was. As Hezekiah's son takes over the throne, Israel returns to their ways of idol worshipping and away from God.

We can learn a lot from Hezekiah. For one, prayer is ALWAYS powerful. Hezekiah chose to seek God's help instead of taking matters into his own hands and because of this, God honored him. Hezekiah was faithful to his Lord and the Lord was faithful in return. Imagine, a WHOLE ARMY coming to attack you. This is a big deal. I would've been freaking out, maybe running around and wouldn't be much of a leader. But a good leader is one that bows his head and gives all he has to seek the Lord's guidance. In the midst of it all, Hezekiah prayed. And the Lord heard. So beautiful.

But even then, we must wholly trust our Lord, because ultimately he knows what plans he has for us, as Jeremiah tells us. Who knows what could've happened if Hezekiah let the Lord keep his timing. Sometimes we extend things because we are selfish, obviously because we are human and flesh. We extend jobs, ministries, relationships...even if they are failing, because we are selfish and want comfort. We want the familiar. The future is scary. And most of us are afraid to let go and let God because we are afraid.

If there's something that I learned last year, it's that God has his perfect timing and that we should always listen. There are many "what ifs" in my head right now. But I know that in the end, God even knew I was going to be stubborn and not give up until it hit me in the face and well, it has hit me in the face. And I will solely trust in Him--the God that has never failed me and the God that has ALWAYS loved me.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, because you take me despite all of my fears and failures. You are Mighty to Save, even a wretch as myself. I thank you for your divine plan in my life, and though I don't understand a lot of the motions I'm experiencing, I know that you will be victorious in the end. I give my life to you.