Reading
SAA Notes
These are pivotal chapters in Israel’s history. Because God answers Hezekiah’s prayer with restoration of health, Babylonian envoys see Israel’s wealth and covet it. Babylon is Israel’s ally against Assyria, but becomes Israel’s destroyer.
SJA Notes
* Great Father God, thank You for Your word. Please teach us from it today.
“So the sun turned back on the dial ten steps by which it had declined.”
Doubt gives strong flavour to our thinking, a crafty companion that makes what should be solid seem fragile and intangible.
Here we have God giving a word and then carrying out His word.
Hezekiah does not doubt in this instance, he trusts that God is faithful and if He chooses will save the king from his sickness.
God does this and more, He delivers to Hezekiah a mighty sign. The sun moving backwards across the heavens, contrary to its regular ordained movement.
Doubt is a quiet poisonous whisper that will erode trust if left unchecked.
We can all face times when we are filled (whether partially or even completely) with doubt.
But what do we do with that doubt?
Our God, the ONE TRUE GOD – He has given to us a means and mechanic like nothing else. A way forward in times of doubt, but also in times of great distress, of anguish in the soul, fearful for safety, hurting or lonely.
We are told what this is in 1 Peter 5,
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
The Creator God who spun the very fabric of the universe into being, a work in motion – He cares for us.
He cares for us both us as individual sheep that the Good Shepherd goes out to find _AND_ as His people all together, once prisoners now freed.
Hallelujah, what a Saviour we have!
* Loving God,
You are the Creator God that can turn back the sun if it is Your will.
We are created, Your creation, and we cannot save ourselves, let alone those around us.
Please Lord God, please save those around us. Please call them as You have called us.
Please forgive us Lord God, we cast our cares on You.
Amen.