I’ve said this before but the best thing that has happened to me since being in Korea has been the abundance of intimate time I get with the Lord. I can literally feel him chiseling away the things I need to rid, while molding and changing me. As painful as it has been at times, it is a beautiful thing.
Lately, I have been feeling a lot of conviction about my prayer life. The other day in Jesus calling, I read these words,
“I am God of both intricate detail and overflowing abundance. When you
entrust the details of your life to Me, you are surprised by how
thoroughly I answer your petitions. I take pleasure in hearing your prayers,
so feel free to bring Me all your requests. The more you pray, the more
answers you can receive. Best of all, your faith is strengthened as you
see how precisely I respond to your specific prayers.”
I was particularly convicted by the last sentence. My prayer time lately has been rushed, before and after quiet time, or little prayers throughout the day but God has really dealt with my heart on setting aside time specifically for intimacy with him through prayer.
In church right now we are still picking apart second Kings. For the last few weeks we have learned about many of the Kings who reigned over Israel and Judah who are known for the bad things they’ve done. We’ve read about King after King who allowed the worship of idols to continue in the land. Kings whose pride and disobedience ultimately lead to their death. Kings who began reigning after killing the King who reigned before them. It’s been a string of depressive messages.
I’ve been looking forward to the day we would be reading about the man my pastor referred to as “The greatest King since David,” and today was that day. Hezekiah was known for his goodness. And I was so happy to be reading something positive after all the death and destruction we have been studying the last few weeks.
In 2 Kings 18, Hezekiah is described as a man who “trusted in the Lord,” a man who “held fast to the Lord; he did not depart from following Him, but kept his commandments.” In verse 7 we are told “The Lord was with him; he prospered wherever he went.” As I read about Hezekiah, I was so encouraged by his commitment to honor the Lord. Specifically, his commitment to seek the Lord as his first response to trouble.
In Chapter 19 verse 1 we see Hezekiah’s response to a message he received. I’m not going to tell you the story because chapter 18 and 19 are jam packed with lessons from God and I would love for you to read it on your own and allow the Lord to speak to your heart. In verse 1, Hezekiah tears his clothes at the news he receives and immediately goes into the house of the Lord. He then sends messengers to the prophet Isaiah who explains to Isaiah they are in great trouble and asks Isaiah to pray. Hezekiah receives a second message from the king of Assyria, and in verse 14, he responds to the second message by turning to the Lord in prayer and laying out the letters before God.
Hezekiah is a great example of how we should respond in times of trouble. Just as Jesus did all throughout the new testament, Hezekiah’s first reaction to the trouble he ran into was to seek the Lord. God knows our thoughts and our troubles long before we bring them to him. He desires to hear our hearts through spoken words, silent prayers, or prayers through praise. He longs to hear us speak to him.
Listen to the words Sarah Young writes in Jesus calling and allow the Lord to speak to your heart. When you are done reading these words, I hope you will sit before the Lord and talk to Him. Connect with Him and let Him hear you.
“Come to Me with all your weaknesses: physical, emotional and spiritual.
Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remember that nothing is impossible with Me… Remember that I am sovereign over everything. Every problem can teach
you something, transforming you little by little…Trouble and distress are
woven into the very fabric of this perishing world. Only My life in you can
empower you to face this endless flow of problems with good cheer.
As you sit quietly in My Presence, I shine Peace into your troubled mind and heart.
Little by little, you are freed from earthly shackles and lifted up above your circumstances. Rest in My Presence, receiving Joy that no one can take away from you.”
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