PAINS OF THE CROSS

ADDRESSING GOD

The story goes that one time when Bill Moyers was a special assistance to President Lyndon B. Johnson of the United States, he was asked to say grace before a meal in the family quarters in the White House. As Moyers began praying softly, the President interrupted him ‘’Speak up, Bill! Speak up!’’ The former Baptist minister from east Texas stopped in mid-sentence; without looking up replied steadily: ‘’ I wasn’t addressing you, Mr. President.’’

       In our text, Hezekiah, a popular Old Testament King, prayed to God for help. In the later part of his life he fell ill; Indeed close to the point of death. The prophet Isaiah pronounced that the illness was unto death. Hezekiah then pleaded to God, who relented and healed him.

     Prayer is communion with God. When Hezekiah was distressed by his enemies, he prayed. Now that he was ill in bed, and knew that his sickness was unto death, he turned his face towards the temple. He pleaded that by His grace, he had lived a good life, walked closely and humbly with Him. When he eventually became healthy, he went up to the house of the Lord to pray.

    We must understand that good people also become ill. Being righteous does not exempt us from the trials of this life. Instead of the usual reliance on men to save us from possibility of death, we should earnestly call on God for help, like Hezekiah cried for healing. Whenever we are healed we should pray to God who answers prayers that are said from sincere heart.

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