HEROES
February: Hezekiah
Heroes...Searching the Scriptures of our Parish Theme
Last year’s hot TV hit was entitled Heroes. The basic premise of the series is that living in our midst are individuals endowed with special gifts that have the power to change things. “Save the cheerleader, save the world” became the mantra of the first few episodes. Scripture declares that we live in the company of individuals endowed with special gifts as well, and the one gift that unites them is that of faith. These individuals are Heroes and their mantra is: “Cheer the Leader who saves the world.”
This month’s hero is Hezekiah and his special gift of prayer. Read II Kings 18:1-7 and 19:14-20:11. (You might consider reading it aloud. It’s quite a story and it’s amazing what we skip when we read things silently!)
Consider the following:
Hezekiah became king at what age? How long did he reign?
Once again, the Israelites have turned to idol worship, but this time they have been using something quite unusual. What is it?
The Bible says that Hezekiah “did right…as his father David had done.” Re-read Hezekiah’s prayer in II Kings 19:14-16. Do you see any similarities to I Samuel 17?
Hezekiah prays for Israel’s deliverance from Assyria, not for his (Hezekiah’s) glory, but so that “all kingdoms may know that you alone, O LORD, are God.” Do you have any life experiences that proclaim God’s glory? Share them!
Do you ever doubt the Lord hears prayer and answers? Re-read II Kings 20:1-6, then compare it to James 5:13-16. What do you notice?
Hezekiah asks for a sign that the Lord will lengthen his days and once again, the Lord answers Hezekiah’s prayer. Re-read II Kings 20:10-11. What does this sign tell you about the Creator and His creation? Read Joshua 10:12-14 for another example!
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, we thank you for faithful Hezekiah, who placed his trust in You and prayed earnestly, believing that you would answer. Give us such faith that you hear our prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen.