38 About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: “This is what the Lord says: ‘Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.’”

² When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, ³ “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you.” Then he broke down and wept bitterly.

⁴ Then this message came to Isaiah from the Lord: ⁵ “Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life, ⁶ and I will rescue you and this city from the king of Assyria. Yes, I will defend this city.

⁷ “‘And this is the sign from the Lord to prove that he will do as he promised: ⁸ I will cause the sun’s shadow to move ten steps backward on the sundial of Ahaz!’” So the shadow on the sundial moved backward ten steps.

Isaiah 38:1-8

Dear God, you know that Hezekiah means a lot to me. I think it was three years ago (4?) that you encouraged me with the story of him from 2 Kings 18-19 when the Assyrians were attacking and you spared him and Jerusalem from defeat. I had a tall task in front of me, though not nearly as dire as his, and you comforted me with his miraculous experience through your power.

Now, I look at him in this story and I see a man about to die. I’m curious as to why you saved him. While I am sure he wept because he didn’t want to die, I notice that he didn’t ask you that he might be healed and live. It seems you just decided to do it. And knowing the rest of the story, he ended up having a son in those 15 years who would grow to be a bad king. I can’t help but wonder why.

But your ways are a mystery to me. I am a fool. I am not even playing two-dimensional checkers compared to your 3-D chess. I’m having a conversation with a potential dentist for our clinic. I’ve been looking for about eight months. About a month ago while I was praying about it I had the thought (from the Holy Spirit?) that perhaps the person you have for our position isn’t ready yet. And now this situation appears to be unfolding in a providential way. Help me to be wise with it today. Help me to discern your will.

Father, I give this day to you. I have some specific jobs I need to do. Help me to do them well. Our graduation from last night ended up getting canceled by the floods in our area. Please be with the men and their families. Help them to continue to seek you without the immediate closure that graduation night usually provides. Help us to reschedule the graduation soon for their sakes.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen