Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
2 Kings 19:15-19 – Praying through the Bible #120 – A Prayer of Desperation
Augustine advised, “Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you.” A Chimney Corner Scripture advises, “God helps those who help themselves.” After good and bad works, after praising God, plundering the temple, paying off Sennacherib, seeking an alliance with Egypt, rebuilding the wall, building a water tunnel, asking Isaiah to pray, we finally find Hezekiah praying. This great man of God is all too human, isn’t he? How often do we fall to our knees only at the last, desperate moment?
Hezekiah receives a letter from Sennacherib filled with warnings, offering one last chance. Hezekiah takes and reads the letter, flees to the temple and spreads it out before God (2 Kings 19.14). Read his prayer (2 Kings 19.15-19). Instructive for us are four emphases within this prayer. First, this prayer is specific, the Assyrian threat (v.17). If prayers are too generic – “Dear Lord, please be with everyone, everywhere, helping all, in any and every way needed” – how can we know when a prayer is answered? Second, this prayer does not tell God how to help: “Save us from his hand” (v.19). Hezekiah does not tell or ask God to “fortify the fortress that we have built.” Third, notice the honesty: “LORD, it is true that the kings of Assyria have devastated the nations and their lands” (v.17). For faith to be real, we must be honest about our struggles, fears, doubts and worries; even honest about our lack of faith (Mark 9.24). Have we ever tried to hide from God in our prayers? We must face our fears with faith. Finally, Hezekiah celebrates God’s uniqueness. This prayer is not about earthly kings, Sennacherib and Hezekiah. This is about THE King, the one “enthroned above the cherubim” (v.15). This is about THE God who is mocked (v.16), and not about the reputation or faithfulness of Hezekiah. This is about THE God receiving glory “so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD God – You alone” (v.19). Now compare this prayer of God’s total otherness to our prayers. How often in our prayers do we glorify God?
When times are desperate is when faithfulness is needed the most, and is the hardest. Reality is the Assyrians are no longer a distant, despotic nation. Reality is at the gate. While Caesar said as a matter of fact, “I came, I saw, I conquered.” Sennacherib said as a matter of fear, “I destroyed, I devastated, I turned into ruin” (Aubin, The Rescue of Jerusalem, 49). Finally, after his false solutions fail, Hezekiah flees to the temple to pray. How often are we like Hezekiah, where the last solution is total submission, total surrender, down on our knees in prayer?
Like Hezekiah, should we do all that we can? Yes, while praying. There is a danger in working that we trust our works. There is a danger in not working that we test God. So pray as if everything depends on God; and work while trusting in nothing we do.
Prayer Challenge – Consider the practical instructive lessons from this prayer and practice them. More importantly, start praying before things get desperate.
Comments