Hezekiah, A Man Of Prayer

2. Technically, Hezekiah is offering God a song of Thanksgiving in grateful recognition of what He has done for him.

a. Illust: Why do people write songs? Writing a song is always a journey and that's often why people write them. They help us understand ourselves and our complex emotions. They help us figure out why we feel the way we do and share what we discover with others. There's also a broader social benefit as listeners adopt songs which are relevant to their own lives. Sixty songwriters were asked what they love about writing songs. Their answers were surprising in some ways, but it was no surprise to see the role of emotions feature so highly. Answers like: Emotional high from: creating, expression, sound, creative process, enjoy performing, like solving a puzzle, etc.

b. To capture the tone of this song and get the proper interpretation of the lines, the literary genre must be established. This is a classic declarative praise song, a todah60_ftn1 song that would be offered in the Sanctuary, accompanied by the giving of the peace offering. So it is jubilation! It is a praise in celebration of life, thanks to divine intervention. Anyone who has been healed, especially if dramatically from an apparent life-threatening situation, can relate to this praise hymn of praise. Of course, people who have had health restored from lesser ailments can also appreciate the blessing of life.

B. Like Hezekiah’s, Our Lives Should be Marked By Prayers of Gratitude & Thanksgiving.

1. Hezekiah’s Prayer is a Prayer of Gratitude for God’s Saving and Delivering Power.

a. What effect did Hezekiah’s healing have on the King? You might say it sobered him up. It talk him to be more circumspect and walk a little more slowly. It led him to recount the Lord’s salvation and faithfulness to the next generation. (v.19)

b. Illust: Christian parents may I ask a favor from you on behalf of your children? Please take the time to tell them about experiences of faithfulness you have seen with God over the years? Tell them about how God saved you. Delivered you from addiction. Brought you out of the pit of destruction. Saved your marriage.

2. We Should Never Tire of Gratefully Thanking God for His Provision.

a. What was the result of this reflective attitude in the king? V.15 – “to walk along slowly” – To think about life and not be in such a rush. See the hand of God in the details of life. Second, it was v.19 “to recount God’s salvation to the next generation.” (Maybe he did not do such a good job of this. Manasseh was born during these 15 extra years. Worst king of Judah. We need to make sure we start recounting the events of God’s salvation at home. Own family. Children.)

b. Illust: I love the story in Luke 17:11ff, where Jesus heals the ten lepers. The story of healing of the fatal affliction is powerful enough. The fact that not just one but ten lepers are healed is amazing! However, the real teaching moment of the incident is when only one leper comes back, and that one a Samaritan! He comes back and gives thanks for Christ for healing him.

c. Applic: Let me ask you as I ask myself, do you thank God for His answered prayers in your and my life?