Yesterday we read about the anxieties of King Hezekiah over the Assyrian invasion and the potential fall of Jerusalem. The king appealed to Isaiah to seek God’s help. Later he went into the Temple and “prayed before the LORD” (2 Kings 19:15). There is a progression in his approach to God – do we have the same approach as we seek to get closer to our Creator and His Son our Saviour? It is right that we should, thereby becoming spiritually minded.

Today we read of Hezekiah’s illness, which he is told will be fatal. Isaiah brings this message, “Set your house in order for you shall not recover” (20:1). Hezekiah makes an impassioned prayer to God, “I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight” (verse 3). His prayer is heard and answered – “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you” (verse 5). God hears and sees all things in the lives of those who seek Him.

Could we utter such an impassioned prayer if we found ourselves in a life-threatening situation, especially if we feel we still have work to serving our Lord? It may not just be a health matter as there are plenty of other difficult situations. In our prayers could we say we have served Him with “our whole heart”?

This week we will read how Ezekiel is told of God’s impending judgements, “Thus says the Lord GOD: None of my words will be delayed any longer …” (12:28). The time is coming when God will say the same about our godless world.

In Luke today we read the challenging words of Jesus, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I tell you” (6:46). Let us not be guilty of reading God’s word but then failing to put it into practice. We can talk about it, preach it and exhort each other, but this must not be an outward show. We are all builders: Jesus said, “the one who hears my words … I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock …” (verse 48). A lot of effort is required for earnest building: so in our spiritual building let us all invest the same energies.