S) "19 It is the living who give thanks to You, as I do today;
A father tells his sons about Your faithfulness."
Isaiah 38:19 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 38
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Isaiah 38
O) Hezekiah became mortally ill, and the LORD told Isaiah to go warn the king that his days were going to end, and get his house in order. He desperately pled for more time, and God heard him and gave him fifteen more years. This event is also recorded in 2 Kings 20, but surprisingly, it is more abbreviated there. Particularly, it is Isaiah who recorded the response of the king, which is where the verse above is taken. Hezekiah's brush with death made him realize the value of the time he had left. He was in a peculiar circumstance, knowing exactly how much time he had left. Based on his initial response, he realized his life needed to be prioritized (although, how well he did with that leaves something to be desired, I think).
A) There is a recurring theme with the kings of the Old Testament (particularly the kings of Judah). There would be a rise and fall of the faithfulness to God, from generation to generation. That was largely because of a failure by the kings to properly raise and teach their sons. When I was reading Hezekiah's response, this verse jumped out at me because of that recurring theme. I often think about the shortness of time left to us, and how we use that time. A long time ago, the song "Living Years" plucked at my heart strings. In this case, though, it's taken a step further. I need to realize that it's not just the value of the time I have left, but the value of what I am doing with that time. Just before becoming a youth pastor, I was asked what I wanted to do if money was no object. I had always said I wanted to be a math teacher, because I liked teaching and I thought more kids would like math if they were properly taught. When I was asked that, though, I realized that I knew there was a much more important thing to teach kids, so I replied with being a youth pastor. When I think about all the things I can do with my kids, all of the things I can teach them, there is nothing more important than them knowing God for who He is. Knowing His faithfulness is one of the most important things about Him, and so I need to use the valuable time I have left to glorify God. Teaching my kids about who Jesus is, and about His faithfulness, has to be high on my list of priorities.
P) Father, Your faithfulness cannot be overstated. You are so good, so faithful, that I cannot fully comprehend it. Even as limited as my awareness is, I know that my children still have more to learn. I want to teach them, but I confess that my priorities are woefully wrong at times. Open my eyes, Lord. Convict me by the Holy Spirit, when I am using my time foolishly. Help me to prioritize, as if I knew the date of my death. Help me prioritize as if I had 15 years left, or 5 years, or 15 weeks. You are worthy of all praise and honor. You are worthy of my time and teaching. Open the eyes and ears of my children. Soften their hearts. Help them to see Your faithfulness, and know Your ways. Teach them in grace, where I fail as a father. Be their Father in heaven, and show Your faithfulness to them, even when I fail to be faithful. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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