Image being in the hospital and your doctor tells you that you only have a couple months left to live.
Your mind races, your heart sinks, and a whirlwind of emotions overwhelm you. In that moment, your world is turned upside down.
But then, in a moment of divine intervention, God grants you more time. Suddenly, the countdown to the end of your life is paused, and you’re given the precious gift of additional days, months, or even years. What would you do with this extraordinary extension of life?
How would you choose to spend this newfound time?
This story is the actions of King Hezekiah during the additional fifteen years granted to him by God
Kings 18-20
2 Chronicles 29-32
Isaiah 36-39
Hezekiah did right in the eyes of the Lord
2 Kings 18:5-6
“Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.”
2 Chronicles 31:20-21
“This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah, doing what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.”
Hezekiah had fallen ill, and the prophet Isaiah said to him “thus says the Lord, set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.”
He turned his face to the wall and wept and prayed to the Lord saying, “Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight.
God had told Isahiah the prophet to go back to Hezekiah and tell him this
“I have heard your prayers and I have seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life
What does Hezekiah do with 15 more years added to his life?
Well,
Babylon was seeking to build an alliance with Hezekiah to strengthen their position against the Assyrian empire and sent ambassadors to meet with Hezekiah. Hezekiah showed them all “HIS” treasures of the house of the Lord in order to impress them.
He showed pridefulness in showing off his wealth and treasures of his kingdom, instead of giving glory to God for prosperity of his kingdom
Isaiah delivered a stern prophecy to Hezekiah, stating that all the treasures he showed to the ambassadors would one day be carried off to Babylon, and some of Hezekiah’s descendants would be taken as captives. This prophecy came true during the Babylonian conquest of Judah, leading to the exile.
What else does Hezekiah do with 15 more years added to his life or should I say, what didn’t he do
His 12-year-old son, Manasseh took the throne after his death
Manasseh only got the throne because of Hezekiah’s 15-year extension, and he was the worst king that Judah had ever seen. Hezekiah walked with God for many many years, when he begged God for more years, he didn’t use that extra time and turn them into training the next king.
More time isn’t what Hezekiah needed -He failed to utilize that opportunity for its intended purpose. Instead of enhancing his life and testimony, the extra time became a hindrance
Hezekiah failed to repay the kindness shown to him by God with gratitude. His heart became proud, and he did not give thanks for his extended life.
When my daughter, Andrea, got the news from her doctor that she was in heart failure and went on hospice…caring for her 24/7, I remember sitting in the rocking chair next to her bed, she was on her iphone and excitedly told me…. Dutch Bros is having a fundraiser today and insisted that I get her a drink so that her money would go towards a fundraiser.
What an impact that made on me, knowing that her life is coming to an end and she is still wanting to do what she can to serve others, with what little time she had left, from the home bounds of her bed.
Through God’s grace, even though I wasn’t at the end of my life, He has given me more time-
a second chance to turn my life back towards Him.
This time, I am humbled to give Him my whole heart, not just a fraction of it.
I am truly thankful and blessed
Let us remember that our time on earth is a precious gift, the length of which only God knows. Let us use every moment wisely, not for selfish gain, but to honor God in all that we do. May our actions, words, and decisions reflect our gratitude for His grace. Let us live each day with purpose, giving God all the honor and glory, and making our time here a true testament to His everlasting love and faithfulness.
Psalm 86:12
“I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Join me on my journey paved by God’s guidance – I invite you to join me and find inspiration in the remarkable ways God moves in our lives (echosofmyfootsteps.com)
