2 Kings 20:1-19

“I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.” (2 Kings 20:5, NKJV)

King Hezekiah was sick, and the LORD sent Isaiah to tell him to put his house in order, for he would not recover. Hezekiah wept and prayed, reminding the LORD that he had walked before Him in truth with a loyal heart, and done what was good in His eyes. Before Isaiah made it to the middle court, the word of the LORD came to him saying to go back to Hezekiah and tell him that God would extend his life by fifteen years.

This speaks to me of God’s remarkable compassion toward His people.

“As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:13–14, NKJV)

When you love someone, your heart goes out to him or her. When they suffer, you suffer; when they weep, you weep. It blesses me to know that our Father in heaven feels this way about us. He is moved by what moves us. Even when we have failed and feel ashamed, He remembers our frame and knows that we are made of dust. If we confess our sins, He will forgive us; if we humble ourselves, He will lift us up. When we cry out to Him, He hears us and helps us. God’s one desire is that we would respond to His grace and answered prayer with gratitude. Hezekiah had been sick, but now he would return to the house of the LORD to worship.

Are you distressed or in need of God’s touch? Then pray to your Heavenly Father knowing that He genuinely cares for you. Cast all your cares on Him. Then humble yourself and trust Him to work it out. When the answer comes, be thankful. You are not alone. God is for you and will deliver you through every trial. He’s a good, good Father.