PLEAD YOUR CASE
- DAY 350
- FEAR FILE: King Hezekiah
- SCRIPTURES: ISAIAH 38:1-5
In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’ ” Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to the Lord, and said, “Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying, “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.
What do you do when the God that never lies gives you a word that you do not like or want to accept? What do you do when the unchangeable God has sealed your fate? King Hezekiah was sick and God sent him a word, not glad tidings of healing but of his transition to glory. The Prophet said, “Get ready to die,” and left.
When he received this word, he didn’t curse God or complain, neither did he dishonor the prophet. He knew that if he was going to address the prophecy, it was not with the prophet, it was with God. So, he turned his face to the wall and said, “God, remember me. Remember that I’m a faithful person, I have done what is right in your sight.” And he cried out to God.
You have to have faith to ask God to change his mind because you are God’s person. The holy God should consider your righteousness. It takes faith and confidence in His nature, goodness, and kindness to go before him like that. And God heard him.
The Lord sent the prophet back, he hadn’t even gotten home. This was not a 3-day vigil. This was an immediate prayer response and he got an immediate answer. The same mouth that told him “God said you’re going to die,” came back to say, “God has added 15 years to your life.” Hezekiah changed the mind of God by his prayer.
The mercies, the grace, and the favor of the Lord can be activated when you cry out to him in faith. Moses, David, and even Abraham successfully changed God’s mind through prayer. So can you. But note that in every one of these cases, they prayed by the word of God.
Do not be afraid, turn to God and plead your case. Do it now.
Shalom.
