Lessons From The KingsSample

Let’s Make Our Lives Count

“Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayers, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. And I will add to your days fifteen years…” (2 Kings 20:5,6)

King Hezekiah was terminally ill and the word of the Lord came to him through Isaiah the prophet saying, “Thus says the Lord: Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.” Hezekiah is heartbroken at the news. He is one of the few kings of Israel who walked faithfully with the Lord. He recounts this and weeps bitterly to the Lord. The Lord relents and sends the good news through Isaiah as recorded in the verse mentioned above, and gives him an extension of 15 years.

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, I am sure we can all recall the numerous times the Lord has mercifully healed, protected and kept us from various perils. The question on my mind is, ‘Why has the Lord kept us alive, and what does He expect from each one of us who are His children?’ 

With the unfolding of a new year we can do some things that I believe are in line with God’s will and plan for us. We can love God more, delve deeper into His word, learn to pray more, value and grow deeper in our relationships with one another, look for ways to be a blessing to, and encourage others, share the gospel with those around us and truly be the light and salt that God intends for us to be.

I wonder what we would do if, like Hezekiah, we got to know that we were given an extension. Would we buck up and start fulfilling God’s purposes for our lives with greater urgency or continue our lives unfazed?

Psalm 90, which is referred to as the Prayer of Moses, gives a practical perspective to us on life. Verse 12 goes like this, “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”