Hope, Healing, and the Power of Prayer

 

Summary

In the story of Hezekiah's recovery, we find a profound encouragement to prayer, even in seemingly hopeless situations. Hezekiah, facing a fatal illness and a divine decree of death, turned to God in prayer, breaking through the walls of despair and doubt. His story teaches us that no situation is beyond the reach of prayer, and that God, in His infinite wisdom, may grant us blessings greater than what we initially seek. The veil that once separated us from the mercy seat is torn, inviting us to approach God boldly in every need, trusting that our prayers will yield good, even if not in the form we expect.

Hezekiah's experience also highlights the transformative power of adversity. His "bitter bitterness" led to a deeper peace and health, both physically and spiritually. Through his trials, Hezekiah was driven to self-examination, repentance, and a renewed dependence on God. This process of introspection and correction is often painful, yet it is through such trials that we are refined and drawn closer to God. The bitterness of life's challenges can become the very means by which we are healed and strengthened.

Moreover, Hezekiah's story is a testament to God's delivering love. It is God's love that rescues us from the pit of corruption, whether it be the pit of sin, despair, or death. This love is not passive but active, embracing us and lifting us out of our fallen state. It is a love that transforms, sanctifies, and ultimately perfects us, drawing us ever closer to God.

Finally, the promise of absolute pardon is a source of profound peace and joy. God, in His mercy, casts our sins behind His back, choosing to remember them no more. This act of divine forgetfulness is not just a removal of guilt but a complete obliteration of sin's existence in His sight. As believers, we are invited to rest in this assurance, knowing that our sins are forgiven and that we are accepted in the beloved.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Prayer in Hopeless Situations: Hezekiah's story teaches us that no situation is beyond the reach of prayer. Even when circumstances seem dire and God's will appears set, prayer can break through barriers and bring about divine intervention. We are encouraged to pray persistently, trusting that God will bring good from our supplications, even if it is not in the form we expect. [02:31]

2. Transformative Adversity: The "bitter bitterness" Hezekiah experienced led to a deeper peace and health. Trials and adversities, though painful, can be the means by which we are refined and drawn closer to God. Through self-examination and repentance, we are transformed and strengthened in our faith. [21:11]

3. God's Delivering Love: It is God's love that rescues us from the pit of corruption. This love is active and transformative, embracing us and lifting us out of our fallen state. It sanctifies and perfects us, drawing us ever closer to God and ultimately leading us to a state of holiness. [26:31]

4. The Assurance of Absolute Pardon: God's promise to cast our sins behind His back is a profound source of peace. This divine forgetfulness is not just a removal of guilt but a complete obliteration of sin's existence in His sight. As believers, we can rest in the assurance that our sins are forgiven and that we are accepted in the beloved. [48:10]

5. The Role of Love in Spiritual Growth: Divine love is the most sanctifying force in the world. It is love that draws us out of sin, unbelief, and weakness, transforming us into the image of Christ. This love is a universal medicine, healing all spiritual diseases and leading us to a state of perfection in God. [41:06]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Hezekiah's Story
- [00:37] - The Power of Prayer
- [01:09] - Facing Impossibility
- [02:31] - The Call to Persistent Prayer
- [03:21] - Access to the Mercy Seat
- [05:05] - Hezekiah's Prayer in Detail
- [05:36] - Healthful Bitterness
- [07:20] - The Unexpected Change
- [10:02] - The Fragility of Life
- [12:35] - Emphatic Sorrow
- [16:34] - Bitterness Leading to Health
- [19:33] - Self-Examination and Repentance
- [25:04] - Loving Deliverance
- [34:26] - The Power of Love
- [44:17] - Absolute Pardon

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 38:17
- James 5:13-16
- Psalm 103:12

---

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the initial divine decree given to Hezekiah, and how did he respond to it? ([01:09])
2. How did Hezekiah's prayer impact his situation, and what was the outcome? ([01:56])
3. What does the phrase "thou Hast cast all my sins behind thy back" signify in the context of Hezekiah's story? ([44:35])
4. How does the sermon describe the role of adversity in Hezekiah's spiritual growth? ([21:11])

---

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Hezekiah's story illustrate the power of prayer in seemingly hopeless situations? What does this suggest about the nature of prayer? ([02:31])
2. In what ways did Hezekiah's "bitter bitterness" lead to a deeper peace and health, both physically and spiritually? ([16:34])
3. How does the sermon describe God's love as active and transformative? What implications does this have for believers? ([26:31])
4. What does the concept of "absolute pardon" mean in the context of the sermon, and how does it affect a believer's relationship with God? ([44:35])

---

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a seemingly hopeless situation. How did prayer play a role in your experience, and what was the outcome? ([02:31])
2. Consider a current challenge in your life. How might this adversity be an opportunity for spiritual growth and self-examination? ([21:11])
3. How can you actively embrace God's transformative love in your daily life? What steps can you take to allow this love to sanctify and perfect you? ([26:31])
4. In what ways can you rest in the assurance of God's absolute pardon? How does this assurance impact your daily walk with God? ([44:35])
5. Identify an area in your life where you struggle with sin. How can you apply the sermon’s message of divine love as a "universal medicine" to overcome this struggle? ([41:06])
6. Think of a person or situation that tests your patience. What specific prayer or action can you take to approach this with a heart transformed by God's love? ([41:06])
7. How can you incorporate persistent prayer into your routine, especially in times of difficulty or doubt? What practical steps can you take to make prayer a more integral part of your life? ([03:21])

Devotional

Day 1: The Unyielding Reach of Prayer
In the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, Hezekiah's story reminds us of the boundless power of prayer. Despite a divine decree of death, Hezekiah turned to God with fervent prayer, demonstrating that no situation is beyond the reach of divine intervention. His persistence in prayer broke through the barriers of despair and doubt, showing us that God, in His infinite wisdom, may grant blessings greater than what we initially seek. We are encouraged to approach God boldly, trusting that our prayers will yield good, even if not in the form we expect. [02:31]

Isaiah 38:1-5 (ESV): "In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, 'Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover.' Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and said, 'Please, O Lord, 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. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: 'Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.'"

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life that seems hopeless. How can you commit to praying persistently about it, trusting God for an outcome that may be different from what you expect?


Day 2: Adversity as a Catalyst for Growth
Hezekiah's "bitter bitterness" led to a profound transformation, both physically and spiritually. His trials drove him to self-examination, repentance, and a renewed dependence on God. This process, though painful, refined him and drew him closer to God. Adversity often serves as a catalyst for growth, pushing us to confront our weaknesses and seek God's strength. Through self-examination and repentance, we are transformed and strengthened in our faith, finding peace and health in the midst of trials. [21:11]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent trial you have faced. How did it lead you to self-examination and a deeper reliance on God?


Day 3: The Active Love of God
Hezekiah's story is a testament to God's delivering love, which rescues us from the pit of corruption. This love is not passive but active, embracing us and lifting us out of our fallen state. It sanctifies and perfects us, drawing us ever closer to God. God's love is transformative, leading us to a state of holiness and ultimately perfecting us in His image. We are reminded that it is through His love that we are rescued and redeemed. [26:31]

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV): "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing."

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced God's active love in your life? How can you allow this love to transform you further?


Day 4: The Peace of Absolute Pardon
The promise of absolute pardon is a profound source of peace and joy. God, in His mercy, casts our sins behind His back, choosing to remember them no more. This act of divine forgetfulness is not just a removal of guilt but a complete obliteration of sin's existence in His sight. As believers, we are invited to rest in this assurance, knowing that our sins are forgiven and that we are accepted in the beloved. This assurance brings profound peace, freeing us from the burden of guilt and shame. [48:10]

Micah 7:18-19 (ESV): "Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."

Reflection: How does the assurance of God's absolute pardon impact your daily life? What steps can you take to live more fully in this freedom?


Day 5: Love as the Force of Spiritual Growth
Divine love is the most sanctifying force in the world. It is love that draws us out of sin, unbelief, and weakness, transforming us into the image of Christ. This love is a universal medicine, healing all spiritual diseases and leading us to a state of perfection in God. As we embrace this love, we are drawn closer to God, experiencing spiritual growth and transformation. It is through love that we are sanctified and perfected, becoming more like Christ in our daily walk. [41:06]

1 John 4:16-18 (ESV): "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."

Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you need to experience God's transformative love. How can you open yourself to this love and allow it to bring about spiritual growth?

Quotes



Hezekiah's recovery is a notable encouragement to prayer if ever there was a case in the world wherein it seemed impossible that prayer could be of any Avail it was that of Hezekiah it was perceivable by everybody around him that he was sick unto death why then think of prayer the case was fatal would it not expose prayer to derision if such a matter were taken before the mercy seat. [00:34:26]

Brethren the proverb saith that hunger breaks through stone walls and so the desire to live on the king's part drove him to pray through all arguments and reasonings did hezekiah's prayer break its way to the throne of God he turned his face to the wall in more than one Sense on that occasion for it seemed as if a wall stood in front of him and shut out all hope of life yet he turned his face to it and prayed his way through it Mark well his success 15 years longer did he live in answer to his entreaties. [00:56:39]

Brother pray if you are between the jaws of death and Hell pray brother if all hope seem to be utterly slain I and if thou can put thy finger on passages of God's Own word which apparently condemn thee still pray whether thy fears have contorted those threatening passages or not though many of them frown upon thee still will pray perish with thy hand on the Horn of the altar if perish thou must never believe thy case to be utterly hopeless so long as thou can plead with God. [01:27:52]

The Mercy Seat once stood within the veil where none could approach it except at one set season in the year but now the veil is rent from top to bottom and you may come to it when you will therefore I charge you come boldly unto the Throne of the Heavenly Grace in every time of need yay draw near in the darkest night and in the most wintry season when God seems to have forgotten to be gracious and when thou thinkest he will be favorable no more men ought always to pray and not to faint. [01:56:51]

Hezekiah bore witness that God had Sanctified his bodily sickness and his mental sorrow to his spiritual health is it not often so with us before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept Thy word Hezekiah had time during his sickness to consider his disorderly house while he lay with his face to the wall he read a great deal upon that wall which he had seen nowhere else a handwriting flamed forth in burning letters before his conscience and this was the interpretation thereof set thine house in order. [17:01:39]

Self-examination is a great benefit to us Brethren and anything which brings us to it does us real service brother go over the whole of your spiritual Farm be diligent to know the state of your flocks and look well to your herds break up the fellow ground and clear out the Thorns take the little foxes which spoil the vines and chase away the birds which Devour the seed let all things be in the best condition thus will your sickness work your health by discovering the secret secet source of your malady. [18:34:84]

The king's bitterness of Soul then led him to repent of his wrongdoing as he saw wherein he had sinned he mourned his folly before God and humbled himself because of the inward sinfulness of nature out of which the outward transgression had come I am sure that very often sickness reveals a man to himself we seldom see ourselves till sorrow holds up the glass before our eyes self is an unpleasant subject for study anatomy is nothing to it to dissect a corpse is not half so disagreeable as to examine your own character. [19:76:40]

Hezekiah had come spiritually to to a double Mara a Mara Mara have you dear friends ever passed that way and drank of double bitterness the wormwood and the gall beloved some of us know what it means for we have had at the same time a body racked with pain and a soul full of heaviness the spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity but a wounded spirit who can bear perhaps the double Mara has come in another form it is a time of severe trouble and just then the friend in whom you trusted has forsaken you. [13:09:32]

The ever gracious Lord means to perfect that which concerneth you by the action of this selfsame love his gentleness has made you great and his love will make you glorious Divine love is the most sanctifying agency in the world it is that which checked us before we knew the Lord and when we ran so greedily after sin in and it is that which constrains US now that we live unto his name for the love of Christ constrain us behold then the love of the spirit is not this Most Blessed medicine. [40:30:11]

Divine love is a catholicon a universal medicine no spiritual disease can resist its healing power the love and blood of Jesus applied by the Holy Ghost will raise up the Saints from pining sickness and restore them from the gates of the grave no heart however like to Granite it becomes can long resist Almighty love the rebel May stand up in bold Defiance and stand out in daring obstinacy but when he begins to feel God loves him he cries Lord thou Hast won at length I yield My Heart by Mighty Grace compelled surrenders all to thee. [41:06:80]

Hezekiah's story is a testament to God's delivering love. It is God's love that rescues us from the pit of corruption, whether it be the pit of sin, despair, or death. This love is not passive but active, embracing us and lifting us out of our fallen state. It is a love that transforms, sanctifies, and ultimately perfects us, drawing us ever closer to God. [26:31:59]

The promise of absolute pardon is a source of profound peace and joy. God, in His mercy, casts our sins behind His back, choosing to remember them no more. This act of divine forgetfulness is not just a removal of guilt but a complete obliteration of sin's existence in His sight. As believers, we are invited to rest in this assurance, knowing that our sins are forgiven and that we are accepted in the beloved. [48:10:59]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jan 07, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?