by George | Aug 19, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Hezekiah’s prayer
“Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God.”
Isaiah 37:20
Hezekiah was in trouble.
The king of Assyria was on his way, with a mighty army.
Instead of calling a cabinet meeting, or a meeting with the secretary of defense, Hezekiah immediately sought God in prayer.
“Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. Hezekiah prayed to the Lord saying, “O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see; and listen to all the words of Sennacherib, who sent them to reproach the living God. Truly, O Lord, the kings of Assyria have devastated all the countries and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. So they have destroyed them. Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, Lord, are God.”
Isaiah 37:14-20
Notice what Hezekiah did:
- He laid the letter/ problem before God.
- He praises God first, worshipping the Almighty God.
- He was honest and realistic with God about this dangerous attacking army.
- He makes a very specific request.
God sent the prophet Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that his prayer has been heard, and was being answered.
Then…
“Then the angel of the Lord went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when men arose early in the morning, behold, all of these were dead.”
Isaiah 37:36
God answers prayer, in His time and in His way.
Let’s seek Him fervently, just like Hezekiah.
by George | Aug 6, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Why Are You Glad to See Me?
“Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.”
Ecclesiastes 5:2
Last night at a neighborhood outreach event, I stood outside the door of the community room, welcoming folks as they arrived.
A youth approached who looked to be around 12 years old.
“I’m so glad to see you!” I said as I gave him a fist bump.
“Why are you glad to see me?” He asked.
Hmmm… Why am I glad to see him? Was I just looking at him as a number, one more person attending, or was I glad to see his smiling face?
Trying to think quickly, I said something like “Because it’s a good day and we are here to have a good time!”
That got me thinking. How many times do I say things without thinking about what I’m saying?
Scripture says our words are important. Here are some examples:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:21
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
Ephesians 4:29
“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; it is set on fire by hell.”
James 3:5-6
Jesus drove the point home when He said:
“Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned.”
Matthew 12:34-37
I must admit… The last one kind of scares me.
So, how can we know what to say? Ask the LORD to help you.
“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Psalms 141:3
I’m reminded of something my mom said several times. “If you don’t have anything nice to say… Don’t say anything at all!” Words to live by…
“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”Colossians 4:6
by George | Aug 3, 2021 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
As Long As He Sought the LORD…
“Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Jechiliah of Jerusalem. He did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.”
2 Chronicles 26:3-5
I don’t know about you, but when I read about the kings listed in 2 Chronicles and 2 Kings, my head starts to swim. There are so many! Some reigned a short time, others a long time.
When I read the name, and how long they reigned, l brace myself for the next sentence. I’m relieved when it says “He did right in the side of the LORD.”
But, many times it says the opposite. For example:
“Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as David his father had done.”
1 Kings 11:6
King Uzziah got off to a good start. Part of the credit goes to Zechariah the prophet, who seemed to be a mentor to him.
“He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.”
2 Chronicles 26:5
It’s important to listen to the right voices, folks who have understanding and wisdom.
The last part of today’s verses should serve as a guidepost, and a warning to us.
“… as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.”
Prosperity doesn’t always mean riches. I believe it’s also the end result when we live life right, walking closely to God.
Uzziah accomplished a lot during his reign.
Unfortunately, later on, he let pride overtake him.
“But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God, for he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”
2 Chronicles 26:16
Then the LORD struck him with leprosy.
“King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death; and he lived in a separate house, being a leper, for he was cut off from the house of the Lord. And Jotham his son was over the king’s house judging the people of the land.”
2 Chronicles 26:21
Very sad.
Let’s strive to be like Uzziah, in his earlier years.
Let’s continue to seek the LORD.
