power

i was reading in isaiah 38 last night, and i want to tell you about what i read. it is amazing. it will amaze you! this is just ONE of MANY many examples of God hearing us tiny little people and answering our prayers.

so at the beginning of the chapter, God tells isaiah to tell the king that he is going to die. hezekiah is pretty sick, and God says, "set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover."

the Bible says:
"then hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, and said, 'please, o LORD, remember how i have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.' and hezekiah wept bitterly."

God heard the king's prayer. look what He did.
"I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of assyria, and will defend this city."

hezekiah got some terrible news. he prayed to his God, and God heard him. but God did not stop there. He also chose to add fifteen years to the king's life. and He didn't even stop there. God also chose to save the city from the assyrians, and continue to guard it Himself.

how powerful is prayer! how powerful is our God! i hope that i realize this in my life. God DOES hear, all the time, no matter what. what a gracious, glorious God. and He chooses to reach down and interact with our lives, answering our unspoken prayers and working on our hearts. what a merciful God.