Hezekiah's Prayer [Isaiah 37-38]

15Hezekiah prayed to the LORD saying, 16"O LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, who is enthroned above the cherubim, You are the God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth You have made heaven and earth. 17"Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and listen to all the words of Sennacherib, who sent them to reproach the living God. 18"Truly, O LORD, the kings of Assyria have devastated all the countries and their lands,19and have cast their gods into the fire, for they were not gods but the work of men's hands, wood and stone So they have destroyed them. 20"Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You alone, LORD, are God."

Isaiah 36-39 give an account of King Hezekiah's reign and some key events that happened during that time. For the most part, Hezekiah was God's man. Hezekiah's prayer in Isaiah 37 is one of several really good examples in the Bible of how to handle a tough situation well. First, he praised God and focused his mind on the only One who could help him. Then, he acknowledged the impossible situation before God and followed it with his request and more praise.

Learning to praise God in prayer first makes all the difference in dealing with the turmoil that comes with stresses. When you acknowledge God for who He says He is, you begin to allow God to bring you peace in the midst of your circumstance. Surrender your situation and leave it in His capable hands and experience the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. Your circumstances may or may not appear any better, but you can live in His peace through whatever is going on. And He will direct, empower and comfort you all along the way as you keep looking to Him.

God in Isaiah 37:15-20
Lord
Lord of hosts
God of Israel
Enthroned above the cherubim
God, alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth
Maker of heaven and earth
The God who hears
The Living God
Deliverer

Beth Warlick, 11/18/2009