Today’s Devotion
Topic: Hezekiah’s Heart Towards God (Part 2)
(Self Assessment 194)
Background:
Last week, we learnt that king Hezekiah got sick and the Lord, through prophet Isaiah, asked him to put his house in order because he was not going to recover. However, after the king had prayed earnestly to the Lord, prophet Isaiah was given a message to assure Hezekiah that his prayers had been heard, and that fifteen more years had been added to his life span.
Let us humbly analyse the poem Hezekiah wrote the moment he recovered; about his sickness and miraculous healing. Please call the family together. It’s time to study the Word of God.
Text: Isaiah 38: 9- 20
9 A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery:
10 I said, “In the prime of my life must I go through the gates of death and be robbed of the rest of my years?” 11 I said, “I will not again see the Lord Himself in the land of the living; no longer will I look on my fellow man, or be with those who now dwell in this world.
12 Like a shepherd’s tent my house has been pulled down and taken from me. Like a weaver I have rolled up my life, and He has cut me off from the loom; day and night you made an end of me.
13 I waited patiently till dawn, but like a lion He broke all my bones; day and night you made an end of me. 14 I cried like a swift or thrush, I moaned like a mourning dove. My eyes grew weak as I looked to the heavens. I am being threatened; Lord, come to my aid!”
15 But what can I say? He has spoken to me, and He Himself has done this. I will walk humbly all my years because of this anguish of my soul.
16 Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too. You restored me to health and let me live.
17 Surely it was for my benefit that I suffered such anguish. In your love you kept me from the pit of destruction; you have put all my sins behind your back.
18 For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. 19 The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness.
20 The Lord will save me, and we will sing with stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the temple of the Lord. Amen
Questions:
1. How do veres 10- 11 reveal how Hezekiah felt about dying?
2. In verses 12- 14, Hezekiah describes his sickness. What about his ordeal is relatable to you or to the story of someone you know?
3. What is the king trying to imply in verse 14 when he says, “My eyes grew weak as i looked to the heavens”?
4. In verse 15, Hezekiah admits that the Lord spoke to him and now by His Word, he is healed. He therefore had not much to say except to walk humbly all his years. Why do you think the healing he received produced in his heart such a ‘wilful’ humility?
4. Verse 16 carries a very deep message. Kindly read it again and share with us what, in your opinion, Hezekiah meant by saying “Lord, by such things people live; and my spirit finds life in them too”.
5. Kindly read verse 17 again:
a) Why will the king declare that it was for his own benefit that he suffered such anguish?
b) why did he attribute his being kept from the pit of destruction to nothing but the love of God for him?
c) What does it mean to say the Lord has put all of one’s sins behind His back? Also, why does Hezekiah mention the forgiveness of his sin as a necessary contribution to his deliverance?
6. How do verses 18- 20 teach us to appreciate this period while we have breath. And what are some of the things we must be busy about each day we claim to be alive?
7. What have you learnt from today’s Bible study?
Kindly reply us through this same social media platform (WhatsApp/ Facebook). We learn so much from the answers you provide.
NB: Today’s Devotion 2018 book is OUT @ GHS20 only. It is packed with inspired messages to walk you through each day of the coming year, as well as serve as a good REFERENCE BOOK. Kindly WhatsApp +233241182057 to order copies while stock last.
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