HEZEKIAH WAS NOT ALONE!

Maybe you've read my other thoughts on Hezekiah. He is a favorite of mine. I think he will be one of the first Bible characters I'll look for when I enter heaven. His prayer stirs me. It isn't as long as some, like Nehemiah's and Daniel's, but it is powerful! For a very long time now, the story of King Hezekiah has bolstered me in the most troubled of times.

Did you know that it is recorded three times in God's Word, once in II Kings, once in II Chronicles and once in Isaiah 36? Through the years I just kind of stuck to the Isaiah account, although I did read them in Kings and Chronicles as well. I noticed one difference in the prayer between the Chronicles account and that in Isaiah, and that was the word "please." I found that somewhat interesting.

The point, however, that filled my heart with great joy was something that came to my attention since Ken went to his home in heaven. In II Chronicles 32:20 there is a side to the story that is not recorded in the other two passages. Listen to what it says: King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this.

King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. Oh, how this affected me! The king had a prayer partner! When I read this, my heart cried out for my own personal, godly, truly believing partner in prayer. I recall that just a few weeks after Ken died, that I told one of my kids that my greatest desire was to grow into a faithful pray-er and to find a like-minded person to pray with.

Picture the story with two options. Hezekiah, climbing the stairs, letter in hand, loyal soldiers and attendants at attention on either side as he went. Picture him then falling on his knees before his Great God. That's a grand scene! If that had been the way it was, I'd still be thrilled with the story...and indeed was for a long time. But now picture this: Hezekiah, hurrying to the house of the Lord, meeting up with the prophet who now knew of the danger, an arm around the shoulder as they climbed the stairs, a hug and a slap on the back, an agreement to bow together before their Great God!

For Hezekiah. A friend. A godly man. A man of God. A believer. Another man to walk through the valley with him.
For Isaiah. A king. A frightened king. A godly king. An opportunity to serve. A joining of hearts.

Have no doubts--this was a dire situation.  An army of great power and fame was poised to conquer...having already taken ground on their way. When King Hezekiah heard the news, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the temple of the LORD. His message to Isaiah was, "This day is a day of distress and rebuke and disgrace, as when children come to the point of birth and there is no strength to deliver them." The Assyrians had come up against them...and their King Sennacherib was arrogant and heartless.

King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah, bent low before the God of Israel...what a magnificent and stirring happening! I'd like to go from casually quoting "If two of you shall agree as touching anything, it shall be done unto them," to clinging to the stupendous truth of it. Oh, how we need each other!