God Speaks
Hezekiah’s Prayer, Pride (after Illness) and Posterity (Manasseh and Amon)
Verse of the Day: [May we live in such a way that when we face serious illness or other catastrophe, we can follow Hezekiah’s example and pray.] “Remember, LORD, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and done what is good on Your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. (2 Kings 20:3 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 214
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding 2 Kings 20-21:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
2 Kings 20
1. God hears and answers the prayers of people like Hezekiah who fight against evil in their sphere of influence.
2. People in positions of wealth and power like Hezekiah are tempted to brag.
2 Kings 21
1. God sometimes allows evil leaders like Manasseh and Amon to rule over His people. We may never know why during our time here on earth.
2. People are often deceived by their leaders and led away from God and His ways.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding 2 Kings 20-21?
O Sovereign LORD, You are the only true and living God. Therefore, You are the only One who knows every aspect of our situation and the only One who can give us the best answer to our prayers. Holy Spirit, please help me not to be a self-centered snob or a braggard. Help me to consider how my words and actions may affect other people. Keep me alert to times when I am tempted to brag or show off. Keep me humble and dependent on You, LORD. Please help me to relate to even evil leaders in ways that honor You. Show Your people how to deal with evil people bent on deception. Please have mercy and protect Your people from evil rulers and practices that greatly harm people and dishonor You. Work in our lives and hearts to bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to 2 Kings 20-21? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will petition the LORD God for health as fervently as Hezekiah did.
- I will guard my thoughts and speech against being proud and boastful.
- I will be careful about whom I vote for in my community, state, and nation. I will try to support only candidates who are committed to behaving in a godly manner.
- I will pray about issues of the day and undergird my political representatives in prayer using the word of God.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.