Isaiah 38:9-22 – A Poem Of Praise
Hezekiah sees the real source of his illness. It is not something that is random. It comes from the hand of God. And because it does, he can confidently go to that One and seek out healing. He knows to Whom he must go. Hezekiah was able to see that the illness brought good to him. Now, certainly it glorified God, didn’t it? But it brought good to him, as God promises in His Word to all believers. He learned humility. For a while, anyway. We’ll see more about that in the next chapter. He learned some further dependence upon Jehovah. It blessed him and made him more godly. Friends, anything that makes us more Christ-like, anything that gives us more humility before our covenant God, is a good thing, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. Anything that draws us nearer to Him in prayer is a good thing.
Hezekiah had great promises in God’s Word. And he knew of the covenant of grace and knew something of the One Who would come. We know far more and have a far fuller revelation of Him. So in the midst of our trials and difficulties, we can glorify God in Jesus Christ by going to Him, trusting in Him, depending upon Him. God’s grace showed through in His love to Hezekiah, His forgiveness that Hezekiah mentions right here, and the life that He gave. It was not only a life in this world which did have to come to an end, but a life that would go on forever. God’s grace gave that to him. For these things Hezekiah praised Him and drew nearer to Him.
God in grace raised Hezekiah to life. But let’s make sure that we understand that it’s ultimately not because of the goodness of Hezekiah, and it’s not because of what he did or didn’t do. It was because God has raised Jesus Christ from the dead. He went to a far greater depth than ever Hezekiah did. He went to a far deeper humiliation. Hezekiah was spared death at this point, but Jesus went on through death in order that His people might be given everlasting life; but because He paid the penalty of sin to the last penny, death could no longer hold Him. By His life, and death, and resurrection He has redeemed all those for whom He has lived, and died, and been resurrected. Because of that, the people of God live. Because of that, Hezekiah and each one of you in Jesus Christ shall have redemption and raising from death unto life.
Questions
- What did Hezekiah see about His illness?
- How can we have eternal life?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for the life, death, and resurrection of Christ.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.