Isa 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto
death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him,
Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not
live.
King Hezekiah was very sick. Isaiah told him that God had decreed that his death was imminent (v.1). Hezekiah prayed to God telling Him how he had walk with a perfect heart before Him (v.3). God heard Hezekiah’s prayer and extended his life fifteen years (v.5).
Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die - God was remarkably kind to Hezekiah, telling him that his death was near; don’t you think so? Not all people were given the time to set their houses in order before they died; they were not given time to prepare themselves for death.
Once, during a conversation with a church member, I said those who died of cancer were more blessed than those who died suddenly. Every day, people died suddenly – on the road, due to industrial accidents, heart attack, brain haemorrhage, carelessness, natural disasters, in their sleep, etc – they were not given time to prepare for their death. They did not have the luxury to set their houses in order. They were not able to say good-byes to their loved ones. They were not given time to make arrangements for their families to ensure they are well taken care of. Most importantly, many were not prepared to meet their God. How they wish they have repented of their sins before that fateful day. Tragic, isn’t it?
Thank God if you have been given time to prepare for your last day on this earth. You are given time to prepare your heart to meet your God, to say good-bye to your loved ones, and to make arrangements for your loved ones. Thank God when you are given time to set your house in order.
Many envied Hezekiah because God had extended his life. Yet, it was a curse too. His son, Manasseh, succeeded him and became one of the worst kings of Judah. Manasseh was only twelve years old when he began to reign (2 Kings 21:1). This means he was born three years after Hezekiah had his life lengthened. Manasseh was a curse to Judah. Perhaps, if Hezekiah’s life had not been extended, a better son would be king after him.
What I am trying to bring across is this: If God extends your life, do good – be faithful to God. I have seen some, who after they had been healed, fell away from the faith. They prayed to God when they needed Him; they leave God when they don’t need Him.
Is Hezekiah the only person in this world God extended life? In fact, every day is God’s extension of our lives. In the Parable of the Rich Fool, God said to him: “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee” (Luke 12:20). God wanted his soul that very night. God could have wanted your soul last night. But you are here alive and reading this; thank God for today: “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
If you are a cancer survival, it means God is extending your life. If you survive a drowning incident, a car accident, a road accident, a heart attack, a near miss in an industrial or road accident, a fall, a food poisoning, a virus attack, etc, thank God; He has extended your life.
I love this quotation from Lamentations 3:22 & 23; it reminds us to give thanks for each day of our lives: “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
It is the Lord’s mercies that you are alive today. God loves you! Great is His faithfulness!
King Hezekiah was very sick. Isaiah told him that God had decreed that his death was imminent (v.1). Hezekiah prayed to God telling Him how he had walk with a perfect heart before Him (v.3). God heard Hezekiah’s prayer and extended his life fifteen years (v.5).
Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die - God was remarkably kind to Hezekiah, telling him that his death was near; don’t you think so? Not all people were given the time to set their houses in order before they died; they were not given time to prepare themselves for death.
Once, during a conversation with a church member, I said those who died of cancer were more blessed than those who died suddenly. Every day, people died suddenly – on the road, due to industrial accidents, heart attack, brain haemorrhage, carelessness, natural disasters, in their sleep, etc – they were not given time to prepare for their death. They did not have the luxury to set their houses in order. They were not able to say good-byes to their loved ones. They were not given time to make arrangements for their families to ensure they are well taken care of. Most importantly, many were not prepared to meet their God. How they wish they have repented of their sins before that fateful day. Tragic, isn’t it?
Thank God if you have been given time to prepare for your last day on this earth. You are given time to prepare your heart to meet your God, to say good-bye to your loved ones, and to make arrangements for your loved ones. Thank God when you are given time to set your house in order.
Many envied Hezekiah because God had extended his life. Yet, it was a curse too. His son, Manasseh, succeeded him and became one of the worst kings of Judah. Manasseh was only twelve years old when he began to reign (2 Kings 21:1). This means he was born three years after Hezekiah had his life lengthened. Manasseh was a curse to Judah. Perhaps, if Hezekiah’s life had not been extended, a better son would be king after him.
What I am trying to bring across is this: If God extends your life, do good – be faithful to God. I have seen some, who after they had been healed, fell away from the faith. They prayed to God when they needed Him; they leave God when they don’t need Him.
Is Hezekiah the only person in this world God extended life? In fact, every day is God’s extension of our lives. In the Parable of the Rich Fool, God said to him: “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee” (Luke 12:20). God wanted his soul that very night. God could have wanted your soul last night. But you are here alive and reading this; thank God for today: “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
If you are a cancer survival, it means God is extending your life. If you survive a drowning incident, a car accident, a road accident, a heart attack, a near miss in an industrial or road accident, a fall, a food poisoning, a virus attack, etc, thank God; He has extended your life.
I love this quotation from Lamentations 3:22 & 23; it reminds us to give thanks for each day of our lives: “It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
It is the Lord’s mercies that you are alive today. God loves you! Great is His faithfulness!
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