DATE POSTED: Sunday, March 24, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park, FL when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE New International Version (NIV) IS FOUND IN Isaiah 38:1-3

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: …“This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: “I’m glad it was you, because I’m not sure how I would have reacted to that”! Isn’t that what we would normally say when we’ve been dealt a blow like the one Hezekiah was dealt? But as we meditate on this powerful passage of Scripture today, we must see that Hezekiah had several options: (1) The response he actually gave in response to the message Isaiah brought to Him from God, or (2) he could have thrown up his hands, lied in his bed and waited for his final breath. OR, (3) he could have become bitter to the decision by God to end his life. Which option sounds more like your character? To choose (1), you would have taken a few minutes to reflect on your life and ministry then, knowing that you were actually speaking to the God who knows your heart, mind, soul and the very thoughts that wander through that mind of yours, you would have to decide if you could honestly respond like Hezekiah. Perhaps having grown up to revere the voice of God as our final authority, some of us would not feel at ease asking God to reconsider His decision, but in an intimate, personal relationship with our Creator, hopefully we’ve become comfortable with two-way conversations with God – in prayer. How many would have chosen option (2)? God said it, I believe it, that settles it! All very true, but again, in a personal and intimate relationship with the Master, would you not even consider asking God about this decision to end the life of His faithful servant? Hopefully, not many of us would assume the last option I mentioned, (3). However, since some believers resort to anger when life is not going exactly how they had mapped it out, there are some who might choose to have their final party, or make their final big trip, or just leave the church since God is brushing you aside like He would an unbeliever. Friends, I pray that God will open our eyes to see that we serve a great, big, wonderful God, however He is never too big, or too far away, or heartless, to not listen to the cry of His faithful servants – His son or His daughter who loves Him intimately with all their heart. I don’t believe that God is in the practice of changing His mind about things every time we want our own way, butI do believe that in His sweet relationship with us, He will listen to our heart’s cry and work with us for our good and His glory. The case of Hezekiah revolved around his death sentence. In our case, we might be dealing with a job sentence, or divorce, or financial challenges or losing a loved one. Please allow me to challenge us today to maintain a sweet, intimate, personal, daily relationship with the Lord Jesus, and be prepared to discuss with Him the desires, hurts, challenges and victories of our heart. He has a place already prepared for us, and I believe that He always wants His very best for His children, no matter how dismal things may look to us here on earth! I am reminded of the words of Samuel when he was called on my God, he said ‘Speak Lord, for thy servant heareth’. Oh that we would be that submissive.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Lord, I pray that our daily communion with You will be so vital, so sweet and so meaningful, that we will search our hearts and be ready to follow Your commands and share the concerns, joys and celebrations with You. Thank You for loving us so much to be concerned about our every care, yet willing to listen to our feedback and concerns. Please train us to be more like You in every way, every day. Thank You for the examples shared with us through Your Word, as in the case of Hezekiah. I pray that each reader or listener will be open to sharing back with You, just as they would to almost any other friend or colleague. Please continue to train us in the way we should go, so that the lost and doubtful will see Jesus at work in us, and believe. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!