Isa 38:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came unto him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.
2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,
*He set himself to seek God & turned away from everything else... this was good! This is what a child of God does! Turn away from everything else & call on God.
3 And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, ^how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.
[^2 K. 18:5 He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him. 6 For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept his commandments]
*Hezekiah knew his heart & his walk with God. Remember - (look at my life & don't forget how I've walked upright before you.)
That's why it's good to lay up treasures in heaven...to seek God when things are good. >
Matt 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
*Then the Lord gives Isaiah a word >
Isa 38:5 Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.
6 And I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria: and I will defend this city.
*Isa 39:1 - The king of Babylon sent letters and a present to Hezekiah: for he had heard that he had been sick, and was recovered....
{Bablonians believed that there were many gods that ruled different parts of the universe. They didn't worship the true God}
2 And Hezekiah was glad of them, and shewed them the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
3 Then came Isaiah the prophet unto king Hezekiah, and said unto him, What said these men? and from whence came they unto thee? And Hezekiah said, They are come from a far country unto me, even from Babylon.
4 Then said he, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All that is in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them. *He showed his enemy all that he had in - even his armour! All of his kingdom - everything that was in his power & control.
He didn't tell them that it was by God's mercy & power that he was healed. No doubt he was flattered by their attention & gifts - did he not realize they were his enemy?
5 Then said Isaiah to Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD of hosts:
6 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
7 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away...
2 Chr. 32:25, 26 says that he did not show the gratitude for his healing that he should have & his heart was lifted up in pride. But, when he humbled himself, God was merciful & turned his anger from Hezekiah & Judah & Jerusalem. However, his prideful heart brought about the fulfilling of Hezekiah's prophecy years later when Nebuchadnezzar was king. (2 K. 24:10-16)
*What are your treasures?
God has given us everything we need for life & godliness
(2 Pet. 1:3 , 4 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises:
*Our greatest treasure is the knowledge of salvation. We have been given the treasure of faith, peace & joy. We have the power of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8 / 2:38)
*We have the whole armour of God that we need to battle satan.
(Eph. 6:13 -18: teaches us how to protect ourselves with His armor:
1. girt up our loins - secure things around you so that you are able to move in battle. (literally, soilders would gird their long garments up out of the way)
2. put on the breastplate of righteousness - guard your heart from ungodly things
3. feet shod - walking in the way of the gospel
4. shield of faith - keeping our trust in God & confidence in His Word... guarding our heart from doubt & unbelief.
5. helmet of salvation & sword of the spirit - having the knowledge of salvation , keeping our mind stedfast in the truth, using the Word of God
6. praying & being watchful - continuing in prayer & being aware of needs
*We have the teachings of Christ that lead us & guides us to victory in all things. Satan is cunning & patient...he knows how to appeal to our flesh. He is always seeking ways to destroy us. >
[1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:] *We must not let our guard down, but resist his temptations.
*Hezekiah allowed his enemy to see his most valued possessions - even his weaponry! What is our defense - our artillery against him?
We have the power of the Word & the Spirit of God. The Word teaches us - the Spirit guides us. We can 'turn our face to the wall' blotting out all confusion, fear & doubt - seeing only our Savior - Christ! He is our advocate, our strong tower, our present help in trouble. (1 Jn. 2:1, Ps. 61:3, Pro. 18:10, Ps. 46:1)
**Don't let satan hear your woes...don't let him into your thoughts. Don't voice your fears out loud to him - take it to Jesus - praying in the Holy Ghost > [Rom 8:26...we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us...]
*Satan has the ability to deceive in subtle ways. He will use the information that we give him to defeat us. It's human nature to have thoughts & feelings that are not always upright, but we musn't allow the enemy to cause us to dwell on them or act on them. He can disguise himself as good & innocent, but he cannot be truthful! Jn. 8:44 says He is a liar & the father of lies.
*We can make our requests known, but make them in faith - believing! Not murmuring or complaining, but giving God thanks before we see the answer! Satan can't touch this! He doesn't feed on faith & thankfulness - he feeds on fear & doubt - confusion. He can't penetrate a strong spirit!
Mark 3:27 No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man;
Luke 11: 21 When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: *Hezekiah didn't keep his house...he invited the enemy in!
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