Isaiah 38

“Thus says the LORD: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” (Isaiah 38:1, NKJV)

Imagine receiving this news from your doctor. How would your life change if you knew you only had three weeks to live? Being a Christian is no guarantee that we won’t get sick. Believers become ill and die.

“It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27, NKJV)

All people are born under the curse of sin and death. Knowing this, we must all set our house in order. The most important thing we can do is to make sure that we have an eternal address in heaven. Since we don’t know when we will breathe our last, this should be our top priority. The only way to guarantee our heavenly residence is to believe in Jesus Christ. He alone is the Door to salvation and eternal life. Second, we should make sure that things are in order in this life. Have we provided for our loved ones? Have we invested in their lives? If God took us today, would we leave behind a legacy of godliness? What would they say about us at our funeral?

Now the amazing thing is that Hezekiah wept, prayed and reminded the LORD of all the righteous deeds he had done in His name. And before Isaiah reached the middle court of the temple, the LORD said to him:

“Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years.’” (Isaiah 38:5, NKJV)

Our prayers are not always answered so quickly. While the Lord invites us to always pray in faith, we do not always receive just what we ask for. But in this case, God was moved by Hezekiah’s prayer and granted him his petition. I believe the important lesson is for us to take everything to the Lord in prayer. In this way our greatest troubles become avenues of God’s grace. Whether He adds fifteen years to your life or allows the thorn in your flesh to remain, His grace is always sufficient. Therefore, trust in the Lord with all your heart and bring all your petitions to His mercy seat. You may still walk through the valley of the shadow of death, but He will be right beside you guiding your every step.