March 03, 2019 AM
Dr. Michael Catt - 1883
#3 in series
Praying for a Miracle
2 Kings 20:1-11
OVERVIEW
In this series we have been focusing on three men who boldly and desperately went before the throne of God asking for speciï¬c answers. Today we’ll study the brave prayer of Hezekiah when he asked the Lord to extend his life. We’ll also examine what it looks like to presume upon an answer to prayer and then act in ways that dishonor God. If we are serious about being prayer warriors and intercessors, we must learn from these examples in Scripture and apply their praying to our own lives.
For further study, this series is available online at sherwoodbaptist.net/messages.
“Dear God, I need a miracle – or at least I think I do. This situation has me completely overwhelmed. Instead of being lost in Your wonder, I'm lost in the pain and the fear of an uncertain future. I need your help. Help me to call on You more often. Please remind me that a life of bitter, prideful ingratitude is empty. Give me a taste of Your glory, Your wonder. The lions are roaring, and I'm afraid. Please help me! Amen.” – Tim Elmore, Pivotal Praying
In the life of Hezekiah, we learn something about prayer. His name means “the Lord strengthens.” He reigned in Israel for 29 years (the majority of his life), and he is characterized as seeking the Lord, removing idolatry from the land, and encouraging the people to worship God. Hezekiah led the people in a great reform – and some form of revival.
I. THE MESSAGE DELIVERED (v. 1)
Is your house in order?
II. THE MAN IN PRAYER (vv. 2, 3)
His reason for praying appears selï¬sh.
“In his prayer he appealed to his walking before the Lord in truth and with a thoroughly devoted heart, and to his acting in a manner that was well-pleasing to God, in perfect accordance with the legal standpoint of the Old Testament, which demanded of the godly righteousness of life according to the law. This did not imply by any means a self-righteous trust in his own virtue; for walking before God with a thoroughly devoted heart was impossible without faith.” – Keil and Delitzsch Commentary
III. THE MIRACLE PROMISED (vv. 4-11)
IV. MEASURING OUR LIVES GOING FORWARD
Hezekiah knew he had more time, but if you read verses 12-21, Hezekiah did an unwise thing and showed the ambassadors of Babylon all his wealth. He showed them his strengths and his weaknesses as a leader.