Trusting God Through Prayer and Means in Crisis
Summary
In Isaiah 38, we encounter the story of King Hezekiah, a godly leader who faced a life-threatening illness. This narrative speaks directly to our current circumstances, reminding us of the importance of seeking God in times of crisis. Hezekiah's response to his illness was to turn to God in prayer, and God graciously extended his life by 15 years. This teaches us that while God is sovereign, He invites us to participate in His plans through prayer. Hezekiah's story also emphasizes the importance of living with a clear conscience, as he was able to face his crisis with peace, knowing he had walked faithfully before God.
Today, we explored the principle that God often works through means, but there are things only He can do. Isaiah instructed Hezekiah to apply a poultice of figs to his boil, a common remedy of the time, illustrating that God uses available means to accomplish His purposes. This principle is vital for Christian wisdom, especially in our current global crisis. We are called to pray and use the means available to us, such as medical interventions and social distancing, trusting that God will work through them.
Furthermore, we must remember to thank God when He makes these means effective. Hezekiah's healing was ultimately attributed to God, not the figs, reminding us to give glory to God for the outcomes He brings about through the means He provides. This understanding shapes our prayers and our gratitude, recognizing God's hand in all things.
Finally, Hezekiah's story points us to the ultimate hope found in Jesus Christ. Just as God gave Hezekiah a sign of healing, He has given us the resurrection of Jesus as the sign of our eternal hope. Jesus' resurrection assures us that we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. This is the hope of the gospel, and it is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Prayer and Sovereignty: Hezekiah's story teaches us that while God is sovereign, He invites us to participate in His plans through prayer. Our prayers are part of God's sovereign work, and we should seek His face earnestly in times of crisis. [01:37]
- Living with a Clear Conscience: Hezekiah's peace in the face of death came from his clear conscience and faithful walk with God. We are reminded to live in such a way that we are always ready to meet the Lord, with a conscience clear before Him. [02:18]
- God Works Through Means: God often uses ordinary means to accomplish His purposes, as seen in Hezekiah's healing through a poultice. We are called to use the means available to us, trusting that God will work through them for His glory. [07:26]
- Gratitude for God's Work: When God uses means to bring about healing or provision, we must remember to give Him the glory. Hezekiah's healing was ultimately attributed to God, reminding us to thank Him for the outcomes He brings about. [17:34]
- The Hope of Resurrection: Hezekiah's story points us to the ultimate hope found in Jesus Christ's resurrection. This is the sign that assures us of eternal life and our future dwelling in the house of the Lord. [34:37]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Introduction to Hezekiah's Story
- [01:14] - Hezekiah's Response to Crisis
- [03:00] - God's Promise to Hezekiah
- [04:09] - Hezekiah's Testimony
- [05:29] - God Works Through Means
- [07:26] - The Principle of Means
- [09:09] - The Drowning Man Parable
- [11:13] - Christian Responsibility
- [12:46] - Applying the Principle Today
- [15:41] - Gratitude for Effective Means
- [18:52] - God's Control Over Remedies
- [20:42] - Praying with Understanding
- [24:21] - Things Only God Can Do
- [32:30] - The Ultimate Hope in Christ
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Isaiah 38:1-22
- 2 Kings 20:1-11
- John 6:40
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#### Observation Questions
1. What was King Hezekiah's initial reaction to the news of his impending death, and how did God respond to his prayer? ([01:14])
2. How did God instruct Hezekiah to use a poultice of figs, and what does this signify about God's use of means? ([05:03])
3. What extraordinary sign did God give Hezekiah to assure him of his healing, and what does this reveal about God's power? ([24:54])
4. How does the story of Hezekiah point to the resurrection of Jesus Christ as our ultimate hope? ([32:30])
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Hezekiah's story illustrate the relationship between God's sovereignty and human prayer? What does this teach about the role of prayer in our lives? ([01:37])
2. In what ways does living with a clear conscience provide peace during times of crisis, as demonstrated by Hezekiah? ([02:18])
3. How does the principle that "God works through means" apply to our current global crisis, and what responsibilities does it place on Christians? ([11:32])
4. What is the significance of the sign God gave Hezekiah, and how does it relate to the assurance we have in Jesus' resurrection? ([34:37])
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent crisis in your life. How did you respond in prayer, and how might Hezekiah's example encourage you to seek God more earnestly? ([01:14])
2. Consider your daily life. Are there areas where you need to live with a clearer conscience before God? How can you take steps to address these areas? ([02:18])
3. In what practical ways can you use the means available to you, such as medical advice or social distancing, to address current challenges while trusting God to work through them? ([12:21])
4. How can you cultivate a habit of gratitude for the means God uses in your life, and how can you ensure that God receives the glory for the outcomes? ([17:34])
5. Think about the hope of resurrection in Jesus Christ. How does this assurance impact your perspective on life and death, and how can you share this hope with others? ([34:37])
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you can be a means of God's blessing to others. What steps can you take this week to act on this? ([11:32])
7. How can you incorporate the principle of praying for God's blessing on the means you use in your daily prayers, whether for health, work, or relationships? ([19:57])
Devotional
Day 1: Participating in God's Sovereign Plan Through Prayer
In times of crisis, King Hezekiah's story in Isaiah 38 reminds us of the power and importance of prayer. Despite God's sovereignty, Hezekiah's earnest prayers were instrumental in extending his life by 15 years. This narrative teaches us that God invites us to be active participants in His divine plans through prayer. Our prayers are not just cries for help but are woven into the fabric of God's sovereign work. In our current global challenges, we are encouraged to seek God's face earnestly, trusting that our prayers are a vital part of His unfolding plan. [01:37]
Isaiah 65:24 (ESV): "Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear."
Reflection: What specific crisis or challenge are you facing today that you need to bring before God in prayer, trusting in His sovereign plan?
Day 2: Living with a Clear Conscience Before God
King Hezekiah faced his life-threatening illness with peace, knowing he had walked faithfully before God. His clear conscience allowed him to approach his crisis with confidence and serenity. This aspect of Hezekiah's story challenges us to live in such a way that we are always ready to meet the Lord, with a conscience clear before Him. It is a call to examine our lives, ensuring that our actions and thoughts align with God's will, so we can face any situation with peace and assurance. [02:18]
1 John 3:21-22 (ESV): "Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him."
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where your conscience is not clear? What steps can you take today to align your actions with God's will?
Day 3: Trusting God to Work Through Ordinary Means
Hezekiah's healing involved applying a poultice of figs, a common remedy of the time, illustrating that God often works through ordinary means to accomplish His purposes. This principle is crucial for Christian wisdom, especially in our current global crisis. We are called to use the means available to us, such as medical interventions and social distancing, trusting that God will work through them for His glory. It is a reminder that while we rely on God's power, we also have a responsibility to use the resources He provides. [07:26]
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV): "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
Reflection: What ordinary means has God provided in your life that you need to trust Him to work through today?
Day 4: Giving Glory to God for His Work
When God uses means to bring about healing or provision, it is essential to remember to give Him the glory. Hezekiah's healing was ultimately attributed to God, not the figs, reminding us to thank Him for the outcomes He brings about. This understanding shapes our prayers and gratitude, recognizing God's hand in all things. It encourages us to cultivate a heart of thankfulness, acknowledging that every good and perfect gift comes from above. [17:34]
James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Reflection: What recent blessing or provision in your life can you specifically thank God for today, acknowledging His hand in it?
Day 5: Embracing the Hope of Resurrection
Hezekiah's story ultimately points us to the hope found in Jesus Christ's resurrection. Just as God gave Hezekiah a sign of healing, He has given us the resurrection of Jesus as the sign of our eternal hope. This assurance of eternal life and our future dwelling in the house of the Lord is the hope of the gospel, available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. It is a reminder to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on the hope and promise of resurrection life. [34:37]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: How does the hope of resurrection and eternal life in Christ influence the way you live your life today?
Quotes
Hezekiah was able to say I have walked before the Lord in faithfulness he was at peace with God he had a clear conscience and when the unexpected crisis came that was what gave him great comfort and you know sooner or later all of us will leave this world and when you do you will enter fully conscious into the immediate presence of the Lord live in such a way that you will always be ready for that day. [00:02:09]
God normally works through means but there are some things that only God can do God normally works through means but there are some things that only God Himself can do now let's look at this together God normally works through means Isaiah had said let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil that he may recover. [00:05:42]
God normally works through means so we must use the means that God has made available Hezekiah prayed to the Lord that's the first thing and he applied a poultice that's the second and God healed him now you may have heard the story of the drowning man and for boys and girls watching this if you'd like to you could draw this story on a piece of paper. [00:07:32]
God normally works through means and we should use all the means that God has made available I mean think about this what would you make of a person who said God will give me strength in my body and so I don't need to eat what would you make of a person who said when our God will keep me warm so I don't need to wear clothes. [00:10:10]
When you grasp this very very simple principle it will give you a proper sense of Christian responsibility it will open your eyes to what it is that God has called you to do and when you see that God works through means you will every day of your life begin to ask how can I be the means that God uses to bring his help and his blessing to someone else. [00:11:20]
Because it is God who works through means we must thank God when he makes the means effective now notice that although God used the means of the poultice in second Kings in chapter 20 the parallel passage there's this very clear statement thus says the Lord the God of David your father I have heard your prayer I have seen your tears behold I will heal you God healed him. [00:16:01]
When you know that God works through means you will be grateful for the means that he uses but you will be very careful to give all the glory to God when I began studying this part of Isaiah last year I was especially struck by some words of a 17th century pastor by the name of Robert Bruce writing on this chapter. [00:17:44]
God controls and commands all remedies so that all cures take effect according to his will and good pleasure therefore unless God blesses the remedy applied it will have no effect even though the doctors instruct their patients to apply their various cures diligently if the Lord chooses not to bless their work the patient will know no improvement. [00:18:35]
In all our troubles let us turn first to the Lord and pray that he will be pleased to use the means that he has provided friends I read that a year ago it was very striking to me very clear very helpful and it has been very useful to me over a number of months now in terms of praying for people think about this in relation to health if you are ill Lord use this medicine to make her well. [00:19:40]
When you know that God works through means it will shape how you pray and when a person comes home having recovered from illness when they returned from the hospital you will be so grateful to the nurses and the doctors but then you will give glory to God who was the one who worked through them and when a vaccine is finally available we will be grateful to the scientists and we will praise God for what they have discovered. [00:23:13]
God normally works through means we must therefore use the means that God has made available and we must thank God wherever he makes these means effective now we're learning a very important principle of Christian wisdom that is vital in the whole of our life and particularly in regards to these circumstances in which we find ourselves today and it has two parts. [00:23:49]
Hezekiah question really is the ultimate question for us all what is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the Lord course Hezekiah meant by that what's the sign that I'm going to recover from the illness how do I know that I will be able to go to the temple and pray but friends a day will come when you know that life is slipping away from you. [00:33:38]
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