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Today is Saturday May 9, 2009 and we are continuing our studies on the book of II Kings. Please read chapters 18-21in your Bible or Click Here to read them online. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Kings%2018-21&version=9

Today's Message: Honor God's Word
The failures of our past cannot keep us from the blessings of God when we turn from our sin and honor the Word of God.

When Hezekiah became king, he did not follow the ways of his evil father Ahaz; instead, he believed the prophets of God, including the unpopular Micah. "Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign. Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the daughter of Zachariah. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father did. He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan. 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." (II Kings 18:1-5). Hezekiah was unique in his trust in God, he was the most godliest king since David. He sets an example for all of us to follow, no matter how much corruption we are faced with we can serve God and put our trust in Him to keep us from becoming corrupted ourselves.

Hezekiah knew that obedience without faith in God would not be adequate in following the will of God. He prayed to God with faith, honoring Him. "And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God. Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands, And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them. Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only." (19:15-19). Hezekiah sets another example for us to follow, when we pray with faith, honoring God and His Word. People are blessed beyond measure when He and His Word are honored.

Hezekiah not only benefited from the ministry of Micah, he also gained spiritual encouragement from the prophet Isaiah. When Hezekiah was dying Isaiah was by his side. "In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now 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. And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake." (II Kings 20:1-6). There's not a cry, sickness, or death to which the compassionate heart of God is not touched. He has the power to heal all who are seriously ill.

Every situation of life is depicted for us in the Bible in order to give us an understanding of our relationship with God, our responsibilities to Him, as well as to others. Consequently, we have illustrations on the results of various ways to react to each situation. As we read through the Bible we gain guidance on how to understand our circumstances.

Today's Psalm: 48:14
"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
When we gave You our heart, we made the willful choice to no longer conform to the trends and philosophies of this world. Instead we ask You to daily renew our minds so that we see this world through the eyes of Christ. We are put to the test daily in deciding what is truth and what is error. May Your Holy Word be our reference point and Your Spirit be our Guide as we are exposed to countless philosophies based on human understanding and the basic principles of this world rather than Your eternal foundational truths. Sharpen our discernment and grant us courage so that we readily know truth from error and are fearless in saying so. In Jesus' Name........Amen.

Have a wonderful day/night.
God Bless,
Christina

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