II Kings 19:19 So now, O Lord our God, save us, please, from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you, O Lord, are God alone.
Hezekiah, in his prayer, recognises the facts of what is happening, and now, he turns his attention to God. He addresses him as Yahweh and ‘elohiym (O Lord our God). He recognises God as self-existent, eternal, and that he has a personal covenantal relationship with him. He also identifies him as all-powerful, as plural and singular (three in one), and as the final judge of all things.
Now Hezekiah asks this personal all-powerful God to rescue him from his earthly enemies, in this case, the Assyrians. Hezekiah puts forth his reason as to why he wants God to do this, and surprisingly it is not for his own, or even his people’s relief. Rather, it is so God’s name is given its rightful place across all the known world at that time.
Just as he starts his prayer asserting that he knows God as a personal and all-powerful saviour and king, he now asks that others may have the same understanding as a result of God defending and rescuing his people from their enemies.
What is my motivation when I pray? That’s the question that comes to me as I think about this scripture. Am I asking for me, for my relief, for my comfort, for my provision? Or, could it be that I would take a step back, see the bigger picture, and pray like Hezekiah, that God would rescue me from all my troubles so that others would know that He is God? All my prayers are coming under the scrutiny of this question today – this is a great question for me to ponder, meditate on and come to my own conclusions on, and then implement any changes as God changes my heart.
Principle of Change 60 – God’s name and God’s fame can reside at the centre of our prayers.
Strength – Arranger – in allowing God to lead us we can apply the lessons learned quickly as our flexibility to make changes for the better is a secret weapon. We hear God, understand God, enter into repentance, and move forwards as a natural flow.