Hearts Cry

"About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: This is what the Lord says, 'Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.' When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 'Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.' Then he broke down and wept bitterly." II Kings 20:1-3

As the ambulance whisked our baby away, we scrambled to find family to take our other children so we could get to the hospital as quickly as possible. On our way, we prayed. We cried. We begged and we pleaded. She was so close to death and we knew it. God, in his providence, chose to answer 'yes' to our cries and her life on earth was extended.

Hezekiah entered fully into the cry of the desperate heart. He was given the news of his imminent demise by no less than God himself. His only recourse was to appeal to him for mercy and grace. He humbled himself. He wept. He prayed like he had never prayed before. His heart cried. (Read the rest of II Kings 20 to see what happens next.)

Does death have to be in view before prayer becomes fervent and passionate? Jesus sweat drops of blood on the eve of his crucifixion. The magnitude of that moment makes his cries understandable. However, we also see him before this moment passionately in pursuit of the Father, crying out to him on a daily basis. Does the pattern of our life conform to his?

Grace and Peace,

Tom
Location: 1102 W 700 S, Pendleton, IN 46064, USA

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