Leaving an amazing legacy

If we had the chance to write our own obituary, I am not sure we could compete with words written about Hezekiah. This is what the Bible records about his life and legacy: 

"Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after his time." - 2 Kings 18:5

This is some testimony. Bearing in mind the long list of kings recorded in the books of Kings, as well as in the Genealogies of Jesus, this is a massive compliment. Hezekiah will be remembered for his influence in bringing about religious reforms in Jerusalem and for being faithful to the Lord. 

Another of his impressive achievements (we believe) was to champion the building of a tunnel carrying water into Jerusalem. This was to prevent the Assyrian invaders from having access to the water. The tunnel was carved out of rock, carrying water from the Gihon Spring into the pool of Siloam. We have had the privilege of walking through this tunnel, and it is very impressive indeed. 

As an ancestor of Hezekiah, we remember that Jesus is the Living Water - he brings refreshing 'spiritual' water to all who are thirsty. 

"Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’ - John 7:38

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Not sure how I feel about this - what do you think?!

Sometimes we read things in the Bible that make sense, on one level, but also sound a little scary or even unfair, on another level. Take this verse as an example: 

Deuteronomy 8:2 - Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.

Or this one, which is referring to Hezekiah: 

"However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart." (2 Chronicles 32:31)

I am okay about God using testing times to teach me things, but not sure how I feel about God testing me to see what's in my heart. Especially the part about withdrawing from me. Maybe it is just the language that is used, that makes me a little nervous, or perhaps I just need to trust more in the ways of God.

How do you feel? Any thoughts? 

Living in Grace

D3LM3

2 Kings 19 - Asking for help

We don't find it easy to ask for help do we? We think it may be seen as a sign of weakness or that we aren't coping, but in truth, we NEED to ask for help at times. When King Hezekiah was confronted with a grave threat from his enemies he turned to God for help. This showed his great humility and willingness to place his trust in God. We could all learn from his example - asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but of greater TRUST.

"Bend down, O Lord, and listen! Open your eyes, O Lord, and see! Listen to Sennacherib’s words of defiance against the living God.
¹⁷ “It is true, Lord, that the kings of Assyria have destroyed all these nations. ¹⁸ And they have thrown the gods of these nations into the fire and burned them. But of course the Assyrians could destroy them! They were not gods at all—only idols of wood and stone shaped by human hands. ¹⁹ Now, O Lord our God, rescue us from his power; then all the kingdoms of the earth will know that you alone, O Lord, are God.” - 2 Kings 19:16-19

"We're often ashamed of asking for so much help because it seems selfish or petty or narcissistic, but I think, if there's a God - and I believe there is - that God is there to help. That's what God's job is. " - Anne Lamott

Remember it is OK to ask for help.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

We're often ashamed of asking for so much help because it seems selfish or petty or narcissistic, but I think, if there's a God - and I believe there is - that God is there to help. That's what God's job is. Anne Lamott
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/search_results.html?q=ask+for+help