PRAYER CANCELLED THE VERDICT OF A DEATH SENTENCE
In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”
2 Kings 20:1 NIV
1. HEZEKIAH WAS SICK
He was a God fearing man but he did get sick.
When it comes to God's treatment of people we find that we all live under his Grace, yet face the same challenges that unbelievers face because we are all under the same physical conditions under the son.
2. SICK TO THE POINT OF DEATH
This is the most critical time in our health conditions. When your health deteriorates it affects your faith in God and His promises. Hezekiah was at the point of death, very close to death than to life.At this point of near death you are either strong or weak in faith. It is very important that we hold on to our faith and keep the faith in God even at the point of death.
3. A MESSENGER WITH THE MESSAGE OF DEATH CAME
The prophet Isaiah came, he was sent by God to tell Hezekiah that he " will not live but die". This should make the condition worse. Such messages usually come with doctors who tell you that you have a couple of hours, days, weeks or months left before you die.
4. HEZEKIAH REACTED TO THIS MESSAGE
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord ,
2 Kings 20:2 NIV
The first reaction of Hezekiah was to pray sincerely to God. In this prayer he was engaging God in a personal conversation, recalling how he has walked before God and served him faithfully. This prayer touched the heart of God. God did the unthinkable. We pray even when the condition is bad. This was a fighting faith kind of prayer based on his integrity and relationship with God.
5. DEATH SENTENCE OVERRULED AND CANCELLED
Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord , the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord .
2 Kings 20:4-5 NIV
God said " I have HEARD your PRAYER and SEEN your TEARS I will HEAL you"
This follows the great cancellation that took place on the cross.
6. HE CANCELLED THE CHARGE AGAINST US
Having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Colossians 2:14-15 NIV
CONCLUSION
I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. The Lord has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death.
Psalms 118:17-18 NIV
YOU WILL LIVE AND NOT DIE BECAUSE GOD HAS CANCELLED THE DEATH VERDICT
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