June 25

2 Kings 20

In answer to Hezekiah’s prayer, the Lord extends his life.

INSIGHT

Hezekiah’s contribution to our lives is probably very great. We read of his zeal for the house of Jehovah and for the worship of Jehovah and of his strict adherence to the Davidic traditions (2 Chronicles 29:3-19; 20-27; 30). His delight is in the Word of Jehovah. In 2 Chronicles 31:21, we read of the “work” which Hezekiah began “in the law and in the commandment.” Apparently he formed a guild of men for this devout literary work. These “men of Hezekiah” evidently included Isaiah (2 Kings 19:2) and also had a hand in shaping the book of Proverbs (Proverbs 25:1). What a contribution this ancient one has made to our lives today!

PRAYER

The Lord’s dominion is forever, and we can praise Him that He never changes:
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
For the word of the Lord is right,
And all His work is done in truth.
He loves righteousness and justice;
The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33:3-5).

Pause for personal praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities (Psalm 51:7-9).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal”
(Matthew 6:19-20).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater love for others
• The work of missions in Australia
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of all grace, who called us
to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after you have suffered a while, perfect,
establish, strengthen, and settle you.
To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.
Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).