Open the Bible UK Daily
3 minute daily Bible reflections from Open the Bible UK, authored by Colin Smith, read by Sue McLeish.
Episodes
Our Words Are Never Hidden from God
Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.”2 Kings 6:8Here is another remarkable story from the life of Elisha, and this story is especially for all who are fearful. If you feel that darkness is closing in. If you are saying, “What am I going to do?” If you find it difficult to sleep at night, this
Our Greed, Lies, and Deception Are Never Hidden from God
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”2 Kings 5:20After being healed, Naaman wanted to show his gratitude. He brought a boatload of money, and so he said to Elisha, “Accept now a present from your servant” (5:15). But E
Maybe You Are Offended by God’s Command, but Have You Heard His Promise?
But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”2 Kings 5:13Naaman took offence at the command to go and wash. But did he hear the promise? Elisha said, “Wash, and be clean.”Perhaps this is your position. There is something that God calls you to do and you don’t want to
Don’t Let Pride Hold You Back
“When this letter reaches you, know that I have sent to you Naaman my servant, that you may cure him of his leprosy.”2 Kings 5:6Things didn’t go so well when Naaman met with Israel’s king: “When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and said, ‘Am I God… that this man sends word to me to cure a man of his leprosy?’” (5:7).Elisha heard what was happening, and he sent a message to t
You Can Be a Shining Light in a Dark Place
Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman’s wife.2 Kings 5:2Naaman did not know God, but God brought someone who did know Him into Naaman’s life. She was a little girl, whose name we don’t even know.This girl had learned in her early years about the God of the Bible. She knew that when God’s people sinned ag
Here Is a Picture of What Sin Does in Our Lives
Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favour; because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valour, but he was a leper.2 Kings 5:1The story of Naaman is another story from the life of Elisha. Naaman was known for his strength and courage in battle. With that reputation, he would have risen through the ranks unti
God Can Work Through You
God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak… to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised… even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.1 Corinthians 1:27-29In the miracles of Elisha, we see two truths: God’s work continues despite our foolish mistakes, and God’s work advance
God’s Work Advances Despite Our Inadequacies
A man came from Baal-shalishah, bringing the man of God bread of the firstfruits.2 Kings 4:42A farmer arrived with food for the sons of the prophets. These students are living through a famine, and this farmer says that he has brought “the firstfruits” of his harvest.The students hope he has a really big farm! But the cart is almost empty. There’s just one sack with only 20 loaves of bread and som
Two Ways God Protects Us from Our Own Folly
They cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot!” ... He said, “Then bring flour.” And he threw it into the pot… And there was no harm in the pot.2 Kings 4:40–41How can God’s work continue when His people make so many mistakes? God protects us from the worst effects of our own folly. How does He do this? Here are two ways.1. Sometimes God protects us by His direct interventionFlour does n
God’s Work Continues Despite Our Foolish Mistakes
One of them… found a wild vine and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds, and came and cut them up into the pot of stew, not knowing what they were.2 Kings 4:39The Bible is full of foolish mistakes: James and John wanting to call down fire on a Samaritan village. Peter drawing his sword in the Garden of Gethsemane. The disciples rebuking little children for coming to Jesus.The amazing thing
God’s Work Includes Saving Us from Foolish Mistakes
As the sons of the prophets were sitting before [Elisha], he said to his servant, “Set on the large pot, and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.”2 Kings 4:38We are introduced here to a group of men known as “the sons of the prophets.” They lived in community and gave themselves to study and prayer. They brought the Word of God to the people.It’s likely that Elisha was there often, teaching, me
God’s Servants Have a Glorious Future
[Elisha] prayed to the LORD. Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth… and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child… opened his eyes.2 Kings 4:33–35There is a marvellous picture here of
God’s Servants Depend on Him
Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me.”2 Kings 4:27Elisha was a great man of God. God worked through him in extraordinary ways. But the emphasis here is not on Elisha’s strength and power but on his limitations and weakness.Notice what Elisha doesn’t know: “She is in bitter dist
God’s Servants Endure Great Sorrow
When the child had grown… he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” …The child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died.2 Kings 4:18-20Here we have every mother’s nightmare. The unimaginable sorrow of the death of a child. She laid the boy in Elisha’s room and told her husband that she was going to see the man of God. She said, “All
God’s Servants Are Greatly Blessed
One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food.2 Kings 4:8The first thing we are told about this woman is that she had been blessed financially. God had blessed her, and she wanted to bring blessing to others.One way she could do this was to give hospitality to the prophet Elijah. Now
What God Has Done for Us in Jesus Christ
My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:19The story of the widow’s oil points us very wonderfully to our Lord Jesus. Think about what God did for her sons. He paid their debt. He saved them from slavery. He gave them a future. This is what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.Jesus paid our debtWe owe it to God to love Him with all our h
God Works for Our Freedom and Joy
Your servant my husband is dead, and... the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.2 Kings 4:1Let’s look at this story from the perspective of the two boys. It’s striking how often they are mentioned, and it is through their eyes that we see these two truths.1. God works for our freedomThese two boys had quite a story to tell. If one of them could tell us his story, he might sa
God Works Through Our Faith and Obedience
Then [Elisha] said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbours, empty vessels and not too few.”2 Kings 4:3Notice, there was something for this woman to do. God provided for her as she walked in faith and obedience. God is not limited by our faith or by our obedience, but He calls us to be actively engaged in the means by which He provides.Elisha was a prophet, and the word of the prophet
God Works with What He Has Already Provided
Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”2 Kings 4:2There is something important here about how to help a person in need. The first question is, “What do you have?” What do you have that you could sell to pay this debt? God works with what He has already provided.God is not limited
God’s Faithful Servants Are Sometimes Desperate
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.”2 Kings 4:1This woman’s great loss opened a whole chapter of troubles. God’s law made provision for widows among God’s people, primarily through the extended family. But for whatever re
God’s Faithful Servants Sometimes Suffer Greatly
Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha…2 Kings 4:1Many Christians are familiar with the story of Elijah the prophet, but fewer know the story of Elisha the prophet. Elijah is the better known of the two, but God’s people enjoyed more blessing in the days of Elisha than they ever did in the days of Elijah.Taken as a whole, the stories about Elisha say to us, “Look at who Go
God Is Patient with You
The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you.2 Peter 3:9What promise is Peter talking about here? God has promised to judge the earth with fire, just as He once judged the earth with water.You would expect the verse to say, “God is not slow in fulfilling his promise… He is patient with the unbelieving world.” But that’s not what he says. Instead, he
Life in Heaven Is Very Long
With the Lord… a thousand years [are] as one day.2 Peter 3:8If one day is like a thousand years with the Lord, then the average human life (70 years), would run 25 million years. That’s a long time!Maybe you’re feeling the pressure of all the stuff you have to get done next week. But, if you had 7,000 years to do that work, you could get it all done easily! Think how relaxed you could be if one da
Life on Earth Is Very Short
With the Lord... a thousand years [are] as one day.2 Peter 3:8Do the math—Abraham was born on Monday. King David was born on Tuesday. Jesus was born on Wednesday. The middle ages flashed by yesterday, and our generation will have passed before this morning is over. Another 30 generations will have passed by tomorrow morning.By God’s scale, 70 years pass by every 100 minutes. So, imagine a person w
When Cynicism Hits Close to Home
Scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.2 Peter 3:3Over the last century, we have seen evolutionism, which said “There is no Creator!” We are seeing the decline of postmodernism, which said “There is no Truth!” And now we’re seeing the rise of a new atheism, which says “There is no God!”Perhaps you work with people who are cynical about your faith. The
The Default Position of the Human Heart
Scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.2 Peter 3:3This is what the first Christians experienced; it’s what we experience today; and it will be the experience of the church until Christ comes.When the New Testament refers to the “last days,” it includes all the days between Jesus’ first and second coming (see Acts 2). So, don’t be surprised by antagoni
A Warning and a Promise
The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgement.2 Peter 2:9There is a great promise here for the Christian. You love the Lord and you grieve over sins—in you and around you. God knows how to rescue you from trials. And He will rescue you. You can count on that.We learn something else here: There is a punishment for sin tha
What Your Familiarity with the Gospel Is Doing to You
What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”2 Peter 2:22The dog goes back and sniffs around. It is intrigued; it loves the vomit. The pig goes back and wallows in the mud. Why? Pigs love mud. And the unrighteous love sin. That’s why they keep going back to it.The washed pig looks better, but
A Hidden Mark of a Genuine Believer
Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard).2 Peter 2:7-8Here is one “hidden” mark of a genuine believer. It cannot be known for sure in others, but you can be sure of it in yourself.Be careful not to make false judgements about others. Pe
You Will Always Find Hypocrisy in the Church
There will be false teachers among you.2 Peter 2:1Peter’s plain statement reminds us that the church needs to be protected. Among the many wonderful people who come through the doors of the church each year, there will be some who would do the church more harm than good. They may seem like the nicest of people, but they do not believe in the authority of the Bible or in the exclusivity of salvatio
Four More Characteristics of False Teachers
There will be false teachers among you.2 Peter 2:1What is the difference between a genuine believer and a counterfeit believer? Here are four more characteristics that Peter gives us.4. Different Character. (What kind of people are being produced?) The true believer pursues virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love (1:5-6). The counterfeit Christian i
Three Characteristics of False Teachers
There will be false teachers among you.2 Peter 2:1Second Peter 1 describes genuine believers. Second Peter 2 describes counterfeit believers. Put these chapters side by side, and you will see the differences between them. 1. Different Source. (Where does the message come from?) Peter says, “We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Ch
The Trouble with the Perfect Church
False prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.2 Peter 2:1There are no ifs, ands, or buts here. It’s a clear and definite statement. There were false prophets among the people (of Israel in the Old Testament). That’s a matter of history.False prophets were a constant problem in the Old Testament, and those who falsely claimed to be prophets of God were t
Don’t Miss the Boat
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.2 Peter 1:12Why would you get up tomorrow morning and read the Bible? It’s more than gathering information, it’s about grasping all that Jesus is for you, savouring all that He has done for you, and receiving all that He holds in His hand for you.We miss the boat when we
Remembering in the Bible
Therefore I intend always to remind you of these qualities, though you know them and are established in the truth that you have.2 Peter 1:12Being reminded of something you already know gets annoying fast. So, when Peter says, “I intend to always remind you of what you already know and are firmly established in,” it looks like a formula for frustration.But “remembering” in the Bible is much more th
The Prophets Were “Carried Along”
No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.2 Peter 1:20-21The best way to grasp what Peter is saying is through a story.Paul is under arrest and he is being taken to Rome. Luke describes the journey: “A tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck do
A Message from God
No prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man.2 Peter 1:20-21Peter wants us to know how the Scripture came to be written. Where did the Old Testament come from?Peter begins by telling us where the Scriptures did not come from: “No prophecy of Scripture…” (1:20). He is distinguishing “prophecy of Scripture” from all other prop
What the Apostles Saw
We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.2 Peter 1:16Peter is talking about the second coming of our Lord Jesus, when He will appear in power and glory, and all His people will be with Him.Peter says, “This isn’t a cleverly invented myth. I know because I’ve seen His power and glory. I
Is the Bible a Reliable Guide to Knowing Jesus?
We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.2 Peter 1:16In Jesus Christ you will find everything you need for life. But if our knowledge of Jesus comes through the Bible, how do we know that it is reliable? Can we trust the Bible?Wayne Grudem, in his Systematic Theology, identifies four th
How to Be an Effective and Fruitful Christian
For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.2 Peter 1:8If you pursue virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, you will be fruitful—whatever you try, wherever God calls you.Peter wants to encourage us to pursue these things, and he tells us what will
A Wake-Up Call
Whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.2 Peter 1:9If there isn’t a sense in your heart that “This is what I must pursue,” if there’s no correlation between Peter’s call and the pursuit of your life, there is something wrong with you. That’s what Peter is saying.If you are a person who professes faith, but the goa
Four More Things to Add to Your Faith
Make every effort to supplement your... self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.2 Peter 1:5, 6-7Here are four more virtues that Peter encourages us to actively pursue in the power of the Holy Spirit:4. Steadfastness (Pressing on): The impulsive person gives up easily. He is pushed around by what he
Add These Three Things to Your Faith
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control.2 Peter 1:5–6Peter’s emphasis is on our effort to actively pursue these in the power of the Holy Spirit: Make every effort to add these things to your faith. Go after them. Make them your own. God has given you power, now stretch yourself out in the pursuit of th
If You Want to Grow in the Christian Life
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.2 Peter 1:3If God has provided everything we need for a godly life, why is it that some Christians never seem to grow? They never seem to have much joy or make any progress. Peter says that they’re “ineffective or unfruitful” in their knowledge of Christ (1:8). Why is that?If you want to grow in the Christian life, th
The Kind of Effort It Takes to Live the Christian Life
For this very reason, make every effort…2 Peter 1:5Get this picture in your mind: An old Volkswagen Beetle sitting next to a Boeing 747 aeroplane. Now, imagine the Volkswagen pulling the 747! Believe it or not, a Volkswagen can actually do this. But what the power of a Volkswagen could never do is make the 747 actually fly!You cannot live the Christian life apart from the power of the Holy Spirit.
If Your Faith Doesn’t Feel Big Enough
He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.2 Peter 1:4If you feel defeated today, take in this promise: By His power, and through Jesus Christ, God’s promise to you in the gospel is that you should escape the corruption caused by evil
How Faith Changes Your Relationship to Sin
He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.2 Peter 1:4Where does corruption come from? What would need to change in order for our world to become truly free, just, and loving? Some people will tell you that it comes from lack of educat
What God Promises to People of Faith
[By] his own glory and excellence… he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature.2 Peter 1:3-4What exactly does God promise to those who have faith? The first thing Peter mentions is that “you may become partakers of the divine nature.” What does that mean?How could you partake or participate in the divine nature? Eith
How Faith Is Formed in a Person
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.2 Peter 1:3What would make a 21st century person follow Jesus? There are certainly many answers, but the Bible sums up what causes a person to follow Jesus in two words—glory and excellence.Jesus’ goodness is put on display by the sheer excell
The First Step of Faith
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours…2 Peter 1:1Faith is a gift to receive and a command to obey. “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). That’s a command! God calls us to do it.Isn’t it strange that we say to an unbeliever, “Put your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ”? How can an unbeliever put his or her faith in Jesus? If you’re an unbeliever, then by definition, you do not bel
What It Means to Have Faith
To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ… in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.2 Peter 1:1-2Peter is writing to people of faith, telling them that in Jesus Christ they have everything they need for life. What does it mean to have faith?Christian faith is faith in Jesus ChristPeter affirms that Jesus is God. Peo
Everything You Need for Life
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.2 Peter 1:3Doesn’t that sound a bit ambitious, even pretentious?What do you need for life? Wisdom for raising kids. Courage in the face of opposition. Peace under pressure. Faith in the face of tragedy. Comfort in loss. Love when you feel alon
What to Do When You Feel You’ve Messed Up
He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.2 Corinthians 5:15What are you doing with the life God is giving to you? Perhaps you have thought, “Well, I’ve really messed up.”You may think, “I have said one thing and done another. I have made commitments to the Lord, but I haven’t kept them. I have taught others, but I h
Grace Prevails When We Humble Ourselves
But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart... so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.2 Chronicles 32:26Notice how grace prevailed in this man’s life. When Hezekiah came under the discipline of God, he saw the pride of his heart, and he saw what a fool he had been.“God has given me life! He brought me back from the point of death, and here I am, li
How God Deals with a Proud Heart
Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem.2 Chronicles 32:25God knows how to deal with a proud heart. Notice what happened when Hezekiah became proud and lived for himself: “Wrath came upon him.” Hezekiah came under the discipline of God. God loves His children too much to allow them to continue
When a Heart Becomes Proud
Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the LORD, and he answered him... But Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud.2 Chronicles 32:24–25Why did Hezekiah not do what he said he would? God gives us the explanation of the extraordinary contradiction in this man’s life: “His heart was proud.”Remember that Hezekiah is des
Walking Humbly vs. Living Selfishly
The son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent envoys… to Hezekiah for he heard that he had been sick… And Hezekiah… showed them his treasure house.Isaiah 39:1-2Babylon was the rising superpower of the day, and Hezekiah wanted to impress the envoys. He couldn’t resist showing off his treasure.The envoys tell their crown prince, “There is serious money in Jerusalem.” And the crown prince says, “One day
Life After a Crisis
I walk slowly all my years.Isaiah 38:15God healed Hezekiah and added 15 years to his life. Now here’s the question: What use did he make of those 15 years?Hezekiah was quite clear on what he would do: “I walk slowly [humbly] all my years” (38:15). “Lord, if you give me another 15 years I will walk before you in humility.” What would that look like?A humble person seeks to glorify God “The living,
One More Assurance in Times of Crisis
In love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.Isaiah 38:17When you face an unexpected crisis and your faith is tested, you can say, “I am loved” and “I am saved.” Here is the third thing you can say:I am forgiven“You have cast all my sins behind your back” (38:17). Here’s what God has done in love so that you would be saved from the
Assurance of Faith in Times of Crisis
In love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.Isaiah 38:17When you face an unexpected crisis and your faith is tested, there are three things you can always say for sure. Here are the first two:I am loved“In love you have delivered my life” (38:17). Literally, “You loved me out of the pit.” Nothing is surer in life than the love of G
Faith Prays for What God Has Promised
Oh restore me to health and make me live!Isaiah 38:16Hezekiah responds to the promise of verse 5 with the prayer of verse 16. God said, “I will add fifteen years to your life” (38:5). Hezekiah prays, “Oh restore me to health and make me live!” (38:16).Faith prays for what God has promised. “Lord, do what you have said! Heal me! Give me those 15 years!”My pastor, Derek Prime, would often say, “Pray
Faith Is Strengthened by the Word of God
O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me to health and make me live!Isaiah 38:16It’s hard to be sure of the precise order of events in Hezekiah’s life, but here’s the most likely reconstruction:Hezekiah became sick to the point of death (38:1)Despite being a godly man, he struggled with bitterness (38:15)Isaiah said, “Set your house in order, for y
How God Can Use a Test of Faith for Our Good
It was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction.Isaiah 38:17Notice what Hezekiah says here: “It was for my welfare that I had great bitterness.” How could God use this man’s bitterness for his good? The answer is in verse 15: “I walk slowly all my years.” “Walk slowly” means “walk humbly.” Hezekiah is saying, “I used to think th
An Unexpected Crisis Will Test Your Faith
What shall I say? For he has spoken to me, and he himself has done it. I walk slowly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.Isaiah 38:15When you go through an unexpected crisis, your faith will be tested. Hezekiah is writing after he recovered from his illness (38:9). Looking back, he is full of thanksgiving: “He has spoken to me, and he himself has done it” (38:15).The words God spoke
Let Your Anguish Lead You to Jesus—Part 2
I am sure that neither death nor life… will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 8:38All Christians will experience anguish. But when you experience anguish, what are you to do? Here are two situations that can lead you to Jesus:1. When you fear being cut off, let your anguish lead you to JesusJesus knows what it is to be cut off. Isaiah says, “He was cut off
Let Your Anguish Lead You to Jesus – Part 1
He [Jesus] has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”Hebrews 13:5Jesus knows what it is to be separated from loved ones. At the Last Supper, He said to His disciples, “I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Mat. 26:29).No one ever loved with a more perfect love than Jesus. With all His heart, He would have want
The Fear that God Might Be Against You
I calmed myself until morning; like a lion he breaks all my bones.Isaiah 38:13Hezekiah feels as if he is being mauled by a lion, and he fears that the lion may be God Himself! And if God is against him, what hope does he have?Why would this godly king fear that God might be against him? A godly man knows that even at his best, he falls far short of what God calls him to be.We can be thankful for t
The Fear of Being “Cut Off” by Death
In the middle of my days I must depart… like a weaver I have rolled up my life; he cuts me off from the loom; from day to night you bring me to an end.Isaiah 38:10, 12Your life is like a piece of fabric being formed on a weaver’s loom. The threads are woven together, some of them bright, and some dark. But all of them are woven by God.One day the weaver cuts the fabric from the loom. That’s it! It
The Fear of Leaving Loved Ones Behind
I said, I shall not see the LORD, the LORD in the land of the living; I shall look on man no more among the inhabitants of the world.Isaiah 38:11Hezekiah knows that he will see the Lord in the world to come. His point is that that he will no longer see the Lord as he has in the past when he has worshipped with God’s people in the temple.When we worship, we behold the beauty of the Lord. David says
The Feelings of a Godly King in the Middle of a Crisis
A writing of Hezekiah king of Judah, after he had been sick and had recovered from his sickness.Isaiah 38:9The beginning of Hezekiah’s crisis was shock, the end was hope, but the middle was anguish.Perhaps this is where you are today. You have moved through the shock of being disrupted by a crisis. You have affirmed your hope in God. But now you are feeling the anguish, and it looks like it will o
When Your Life Is Slipping Away, This Will Be the Only Question That Matters
The word of the LORD came to [Isaiah]: “Turn back, and say to Hezekiah… I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.”2 Kings 20:4-5Here in 2 Kings, we get a fuller picture of what happened. Hezekiah is at the point of death, and Isaiah says, “Set your house in order, for you shall die.” Hezekiah turns to the wall and prays (20:1-2).Isaiah leaves, but God says, “Turn b
Things That Only God Can Do
Hezekiah also had said, “What is the sign that I shall go up to the house of the LORD?”Isaiah 38:22Hezekiah was sick and “at the point of death” (38:1). It must have been hard to believe that God would heal him. So, God gave him a sign.“Behold, I will make the shadow cast by the declining sun on the dial of Ahaz turn back ten steps.” So the sun turned back on the dial the ten steps by which it had
Thank God When He Makes the Means Effective
Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.”2 Kings 20:5There are two ways to lose the path of wisdom. One is to forget the means that God uses. The other is to forget that it is God who uses the means.Isaiah said, “Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil” (Isa. 38:21). But God said, “Behold I will heal
How God Can Use You as a Means of Blessing Others
Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, that he may recover.”Isaiah 38:21What would you think of a person who said, “God will give strength to my body, so there is no need for me to eat”? Or, “God will keep me warm, so there is no need for me to wear clothing”?God gives strength to your body by means of the food you eat. God gives warmth to your body by means of th
Use the Means God Makes Available
Isaiah had said, “Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil, that he may recover.”Isaiah 38:21This gives us a clue about Hezekiah’s illness. There was a boil, evidence of an infection raging in his body. And Isaiah told the king to apply a dressing on the infected area, using a cake of figs.Hezekiah did not have the blessing of modern medicine, but this was the means that was available
God Normally Works Through Means
The word of the LORD came to Isaiah: “Go and say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life.’”Isaiah 38:4-5Let’s look at the happy ending of Hezekiah’s story. We will see what God did and how He did it. What we find in these verses speaks clearly to any crisis we may face today.Heze
How You Can Have a Clear Conscience Before God
“You have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.”Isaiah 38:17Maybe you will say today, “I have not sought God in prayer, and I don’t have a clear conscience. I can’t say that I have walked before God in faithfulness. I have not served Him with my whole heart. I have not done what is good in His sight. So how can I get a clean conscience? How
Is Your Life’s Work Done?
Hezekiah wept bitterly.Isaiah 38:3When Hezekiah faced this unexpected crisis, the first thing he did was to pray, and the second thing he did was seek to live with a clear conscience. Notice what happened next: “Hezekiah wept bitterly” (38:3).Why did he weep bitterly? Why did Hezekiah not say like Paul, “To depart… is far better” (Phil. 1:23)? Or, “To me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (1:2
The Second Response of a Godly Person to an Unexpected Crisis
“Please, O LORD, remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.”Isaiah 38:3Hezekiah’s first response to the crisis was to seek the face of God in prayer. His second response was to seek to live with a clear conscience.Look again at Hezekiah’s prayer. Is he holding up his faithfulness as leverage in his prayer? Some commentato
The First Response of a Godly Person to an Unexpected Crisis
Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD.Isaiah 38:2How did Hezekiah respond to this unexpected crisis? How will you respond in a crisis?The first thing Hezekiah did was to seek the face of God in prayer. When Isaiah comes with grim news, Hezekiah turns to the wall and prays. There were any number of questions that the king could have asked. “How long do I have to live? Why
