Turning Despair into Hope: Hezekiah's Prayer Journey
Summary
In moments of despair, when life seems terminal and hope is lost, we are reminded of the story of Hezekiah. Hezekiah faced a dire situation when God, through the prophet Isaiah, told him to prepare for death. In his desperation, Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed, presenting his spiritual credit report to God. He reminded God of his faithfulness, integrity, and devotion, despite his imperfections. This act of turning to God in prayer, with both words and heartfelt emotion, is a powerful testament to the importance of maintaining a consistent relationship with God.
God, who is unchanging in nature, can change His actions in response to our prayers. Hezekiah's heartfelt plea moved God to extend his life by 15 years. This change was not just for Hezekiah's benefit but also for the deliverance of his people from the Assyrians. This story illustrates that when God grants us a new opportunity, it is not solely for our benefit but also for us to be a blessing to others.
In our own lives, we may face situations that seem terminal, where no human solution is possible. It is in these moments that we must turn to God, not just with our words but with our hearts, presenting our spiritual credit report. Our relationship with God should be built consistently over time, so that when we face these moments, we can call upon Him with confidence.
Key Takeaways:
- In terminal situations, like Hezekiah, we must turn to God with our whole heart, presenting our spiritual credit report. This means living a life of consistent faithfulness and integrity, so that when we call upon God, we do so with a history of devotion. [02:23]
- God is unchanging in His nature, but He can change His actions in response to our heartfelt prayers. This demonstrates the power of prayer and the importance of connecting with God on an emotional level, not just through words. [10:16]
- When God grants us a new opportunity, it is not just for our benefit. We are called to be a blessing to others, using our renewed life to fulfill God's greater purpose. Our prayers should reflect a desire to impact others positively. [14:18]
- Building a consistent relationship with God is crucial. We cannot wait until we are in a terminal situation to start building our spiritual credit report. Our daily walk with God prepares us for those moments when we need to call upon Him. [06:17]
- God is a feeling God, and He desires to connect with us on an emotional level. Our prayers should not only reach His ears but also touch His heart. When our words align with our emotions, we deepen our relationship with God. [09:09]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - God's Unchanging Nature
[00:36] - Terminal Situations
[01:13] - Hezekiah's Desperation
[02:06] - Turning to God
[03:03] - Presenting a Spiritual Credit Report
[04:21] - Consistency in Faith
[05:21] - The Power of Prayer
[06:56] - God's Response to Hezekiah
[08:02] - God's Emotional Connection
[09:26] - God Changes His Mind
[10:34] - Theological Conundrum
[12:00] - God's Unchanging Character
[13:21] - Leveraging Influence with God
[14:18] - Purpose Beyond Blessing
[15:43] - Conclusion and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 2 Kings 20:1-6
2. 2 Chronicles 32:24-26
3. Hebrews 4:15
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Observation Questions:
1. What was Hezekiah's initial reaction when he received the message from God through Isaiah about his impending death? How did he express his desperation? [01:13]
2. How did Hezekiah present his "spiritual credit report" to God, and what did he emphasize in his prayer? [03:03]
3. What was God's response to Hezekiah's prayer, and how did it change the course of events? [06:56]
4. According to the sermon, what role do emotions play in our relationship with God, and how did this affect God's response to Hezekiah? [08:02]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does Hezekiah's story illustrate the power of prayer and its potential to influence God's actions? How does this align with the idea of God's unchanging nature? [10:16]
2. How does the concept of a "spiritual credit report" challenge believers to reflect on their own faithfulness and integrity in their relationship with God? [04:21]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the purpose of God granting new opportunities, and how should this influence a believer's perspective on blessings? [14:18]
4. How does the sermon describe the emotional connection between God and believers, and why is this significant for deepening one's relationship with God? [09:09]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own "spiritual credit report." What areas of your faithfulness and integrity might need strengthening to build a more consistent relationship with God? [04:21]
2. Think of a time when you faced a seemingly terminal situation. How did you respond, and what role did prayer play in that experience? How might you approach a similar situation differently now? [06:17]
3. How can you ensure that your prayers not only reach God's ears but also touch His heart? What specific changes can you make in your prayer life to foster a deeper emotional connection with God? [09:09]
4. Consider a blessing or opportunity you have received recently. How can you use this to be a blessing to others and fulfill God's greater purpose? [14:18]
5. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel hopeless or without a solution. How can you turn to God with your whole heart and present your spiritual credit report in this situation? [02:23]
6. How can you cultivate a daily walk with God that prepares you for future challenges? What practical steps can you take to build a consistent relationship with Him? [06:17]
7. Reflect on the emotional aspects of your relationship with God. How can you be more intentional about expressing your emotions in your prayers and interactions with Him? [08:02]
Devotional
Day 1: Presenting Your Spiritual Credit Report
In moments of despair, like Hezekiah, we are called to turn to God with our whole heart, presenting our spiritual credit report. This means living a life of consistent faithfulness and integrity, so that when we call upon God, we do so with a history of devotion. Hezekiah's story reminds us that our relationship with God is not just about the moments of crisis but is built over time through daily acts of faith and integrity. When Hezekiah was faced with a terminal situation, he was able to present his life of devotion to God, which moved God to extend his life. This teaches us the importance of maintaining a consistent relationship with God, so that in times of need, we can confidently call upon Him. [02:23]
Isaiah 38:2-3 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What steps can you take today to build a consistent spiritual credit report with God, so that in times of need, you can call upon Him with confidence?
Day 2: The Power of Heartfelt Prayer
God is unchanging in His nature, but He can change His actions in response to our heartfelt prayers. This demonstrates the power of prayer and the importance of connecting with God on an emotional level, not just through words. Hezekiah's prayer was not just a recitation of words but a heartfelt plea that moved God to action. This story illustrates that our prayers should not only reach God's ears but also touch His heart. When we pray with sincerity and emotion, we deepen our relationship with God and open the door for His intervention in our lives. [10:16]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your prayers are heartfelt and sincere, reaching not only God's ears but also His heart?
Day 3: Blessing Others Through Our Renewed Life
When God grants us a new opportunity, it is not just for our benefit. We are called to be a blessing to others, using our renewed life to fulfill God's greater purpose. Hezekiah's extended life was not only for his own benefit but also for the deliverance of his people from the Assyrians. This teaches us that our blessings are meant to be shared, and our prayers should reflect a desire to impact others positively. As we receive new opportunities from God, we should seek ways to use them to bless those around us and fulfill God's greater purpose in our lives. [14:18]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: In what ways can you use the opportunities and blessings God has given you to be a blessing to others today?
Day 4: Building a Consistent Relationship with God
Building a consistent relationship with God is crucial. We cannot wait until we are in a terminal situation to start building our spiritual credit report. Our daily walk with God prepares us for those moments when we need to call upon Him. Hezekiah's story shows us that a life of consistent faithfulness and integrity allows us to approach God with confidence in times of need. By nurturing our relationship with God daily, we lay a strong foundation that supports us in times of crisis. [06:17]
Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV): "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."
Reflection: What daily practices can you implement to strengthen your relationship with God, ensuring you are prepared for life's challenges?
Day 5: Connecting with God on an Emotional Level
God is a feeling God, and He desires to connect with us on an emotional level. Our prayers should not only reach His ears but also touch His heart. When our words align with our emotions, we deepen our relationship with God. Hezekiah's emotional plea to God demonstrates the importance of connecting with God on a deeper level. By expressing our true emotions in prayer, we invite God into our innermost thoughts and feelings, allowing for a more intimate relationship with Him. [09:09]
Psalm 62:8 (ESV): "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah."
Reflection: How can you pour out your heart to God today, ensuring that your prayers reflect your true emotions and deepen your relationship with Him?
Quotes
God cannot change his essential nature while God cannot change his nature he can and does change his action when you're in a terminal situation and God changes his mind it's not just for you when God gives you a new opportunity he wants you to be a blessing not just be blessed but terminal situations can show up in all kinds of shapes and sizes. [00:00:15]
It is in this context that we read that Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord he was looking at Isaiah but now when he heard the news from the prophet he turned his face to the wall and the Bible says he wept bitterly he wept and cried like a baby to hear the bad news that there is no solution. [00:01:13]
Hezekiah prayed and when Hezekiah prayed in verses three and four mainly verse three he says I walked before you I was truthful I gave you my whole heart and I did what was good you know what he gave God a credit report he says God don't you remember that I hung in there when other folk quit on you. [00:02:56]
A lot of times we go God to God with our tears without a good report and we wonder why he's not responding no he he had a great credit report but he was in a terminal situation and so he prays and he cries out to God one day if it has not come yet you're going to be I'm going to be we're going to be in a terminal situation. [00:05:40]
You cannot decide on that day to change your credit report you have to have built that up along the way cuz you're going to need to cash it in on that day Hezekiah cries out to God and says this is my report and he's crying for mercy God then tells Isaiah would gone out into the middle of the Court the word of the Lord came to him. [00:06:22]
I've heard your prayer and I have seen your tears no you didn't I have heard your prayers and I have seen your tears so the first thing is he prayed he gave something he gave God something to hear and it included credit report says I've heard your prayer but I've also seen your tears I've heard what you said prayer but I've also seen how you feel. [00:07:05]
God just doesn't want to hear you he wants to feel you and nothing enhances a relationship like when what is said is also what is felt cuz when the words touch the heart you got a thing going on then yeah he said I've heard your words and I've seen your tears I I I feel you what happened he says I will heal you. [00:09:11]
God cannot change his essential nature but he changed while God cannot change his nature he can and does change his action let me say that again God's nature cannot change but his actions may change how then does God change his action without changing his nature since his nature cannot change but his action as in this case does change. [00:12:30]
When you in a terminal situation and God changes his mind and reverses something and gives you a new lease on life whatever that terminal scenario is it's not just for you see it's not just for you he says when I give you this 15 years it's not just so you can go out and party I'm giving you this 15 years because I want to use you. [00:14:18]
Most of the time when we're in a terminal situation it's only about me myself and I and I want God to do something for me that is in my best interest and that's okay but it can't be limited to you when God gives you a new opportun Unity he wants you to be a blessing not just be blessed and that's a problem with a lot of this blessing stuff. [00:14:55]
The prayer you need to pray is God I'm in a terminal situation I need to affect another part of your character I need you to reverse this situation so that not only can my situation be changed but so that I can be a conduit to change somebody else's so if it's only about you then you missing God said I got a bigger plan. [00:15:18]
God said I got a bigger plan for you than just you living 15 years I want to deliver and I want to deliver the whole city from the Assyrians. [00:15:37]
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