And Hezekiah Spread It Before the Lord.
Hezekiah's faith and prayer demonstrate the importance of trusting in God's ability to deliver us in times of crisis.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes the unwavering faith of King Hezekiah and the prophet during a time of crisis in Jerusalem, where they turned to God as their only ally against overwhelming odds. He encourages believers to bring their troubles and complaints before the Lord, trusting that He hears and responds to their prayers. Meyer illustrates that when faced with slander or despair, laying our burdens before God can replace fear with peace and love. He reminds us that God is intimately aware of our struggles and desires to engage with us in our moments of need.
Text
And Hezekiah spread it before the Lord. 2 Kings xix. 14.
AMID the panic that reigned in Jerusalem, the king and the prophet alone kept level heads, for they alone had quiet, trustful hearts. We hardly realize the crisis unless we compare it with the march of 200,000 Kurds or Turkish soldiers upon some peaceful Armenian community. Israel had no earthly allies. Her only reinforcements could reach her from heaven, and it was the care of these two saintly men to implicate their cause with that of the living God (ver. 4). This is the faith that overcomes the world, which realizes that God lives here and now in our home and life and circumstances. His cause is implicated in our deliverance; his name will be disgraced if we are overwhelmed, and honoured, if preserved. He is our Judge, Lawgiver, and King, and is therefore bound by the most solemn obligations to save us, or his name will be tarnished.
When therefore letters come to you, anonymous or otherwise, full of bitter reproach; when unkind and malignant stories are set on foot with respect to you; when all hope from man has perished, then take your complaint ‑‑ the letter, the article, the speech, the rumour ‑‑ and lay it before God. Let your requests be made known unto Him. Tell Him how absolutely you trust. Then malice and fear will pass from your heart, whilst peace and love will take their place: and presently there will come a swift message of comfort, like that which Isaiah, the son of Amoz, sent to Hezekiah, saying on the behalf of God, "That which thou hast prayed to Me, I have heard."
God knew the contents of the missive before you did; but He likes to read it again in the company of his child.
Sermon Outline
- The Crisis in Jerusalem
- The Faith of Hezekiah
- The Importance of Prayer
- The Result of Prayer
- Malice and fear will pass from your heart
- Peace and love will take their place
Key Quotes
“This is the faith that overcomes the world, which realizes that God lives here and now in our home and life and circumstances.” — F.B. Meyer
“That which thou hast prayed to Me, I have heard.” — F.B. Meyer
“God knew the contents of the missive before you did; but He likes to read it again in the company of his child.” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- When facing crisis, take your complaint to God and trust in His ability to deliver you.
- Realize that God lives here and now in our home and life and circumstances, and trust in His presence.
- Prayer is essential in times of crisis, as it allows us to implicate our cause with God's and trust in His ability to deliver.