2 Kings 20:3 "Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithful and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes." And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
This prayer by Hezekiah is one of the most known prayers in scripture. Hezekiah prayed other prayers too besides this one. The content of this prayer was basically a reminder Hezekiah was giving to God about his contribution to God’s Kingdom. It was a prayer where Hezekiah brought his CV before God. His experiences, qualifications, and achievements were laid before God. He didn’t bring his need. He spoke to God about why his current need must be met.
Why must God preserve your life? Think about it. Why should He give you an additional time like He did for Hezekiah? What must motivate God to bless you?
We quote this scripture a lot but there’s something about it. Psalm 118:17 I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord. Why won’t the author die but live? Because He must declare the works of the Lord. The essence of life is to accomplish a purpose, finish an assignment and fulfill God’s plan. So, I shall not die but live for a purpose.
Look at 1 Peter 2:9 which states that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s priced possession that we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. So, the ultimate goal of living is for God’s glory and praise to be seen through the life we live. In Ephesians 2:10, we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which He predestined for us to do. So, there was a plan that was predetermined and we were created in Christ Jesus to do those works. We shall not die but live….it didn’t end there. That would happen so that we can declare the works of the Lord. We are God’s workmanship..it doesn’t end there….but created to do good works. We are a chosen people but the aim is for us to proclaim His praises.
Hezekiah prayed another prayer in Isaiah 37:20 Now, Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, Lord, are the only God. His prayer was not geared towards making him known. He wanted God to be seen through the deliverance. Must God bless you so that, you can show those who treated you with contempt that you are powerful? Should God preserve your life through this global plague so that you can move on with your plans without God?
In Acts 13:36, After David served God’s purposes in his generation, He died. So life must be lived with and for a purpose.
How have you contributed to God’s kingdom for which He can trust that if He keeps you safe, you can use the years ahead of you wisely? What can you lay before God as your trophy? Live for God’s purposes so you can boldly pray Hezekiah’s kind of prayer in the opening scripture.
The Word In Clarity 