The Daily Word: Thursday, July 2nd, 2020
2 Kings 20:1-22:2
Acts 21:18-36
Psalm 150:1-6
Proverbs 18:9-10
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live.’ ” – 2 Kings 20:1
God told Hezekiah he was going to die. But He didn’t tell Hezekiah the bad news because it was an inevitable outcome! God told him because He wanted to see how Hezekiah would respond. Hezekiah prayed. He reminded the Lord of his “loyal heart” (v. 3). He wept bitterly. And the Lord relented.
God “relenting” is different from God changing His mind. God always wanted to heal Hezekiah! But before healing could happen, Hezekiah had to exhibit a response that aligned him with God’s plan. If Hezekiah had turned from the Lord because he didn’t think his circumstance was fair, or if he threw a pity party and complained that God was always picking on him, healing might not have been his portion. But because Hezekiah humbled himself, God healed him.
When you receive bad news, don’t take it as a death sentence. God wants to see how you respond. Will you throw up your hands and declare all hope is lost? Or will you humble yourself, turn to God like never before, and declare your faithfulness to Him no matter what?
Prayer:
Father, help me to respond to Your word well. Whether it’s good news or bad news, I will rejoice! I will not be scared of what the world says, because I know what Your word says, in Jesus’ name!
Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014.
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See commentary from this day in 2018.
See commentary from this day in 2019.
© Michael D. White, 2020. All rights reserved.