Is anything too difficult for the Lord? – 13 May 2009

The stories in the bible appear to be mere old fashioned fiction.  However, they aren’t. They are true and cutting edge wisdom to those who care to believe.  Defying all human wisdom they, teach us about God’s true nature - what he can do for our own good.

In the bible there is a fascinating story of a man whose father did not believe in the power of sacrifice and worshipping God.  Because of unbelief, the father who at the time was king of , shut the doors of the temple – literally living life without God.  When Hezekiah became king after his father died, he decided to believe in God, he opened the temple doors, encouraged people to worship God and restored the Passover ceremony. 

Because he was active in doing the things of God, it is not surprising to me that he attracted Satan’s attention; was attacked by a powerful enemy.  Furthermore, Satan caused him to be sick.  The bible says Hezekiah was at the point of dying and the prophet Isaiah confirmed the king was going to die. But listen to Hezekiah’s prayer:

"Don't forget that I have been faithful to you, LORD. I have obeyed you with all my heart, and I do whatever you say is right"
After this, he cried hard.  Then the LORD sent me with this message for Hezekiah:

I am the LORD God, who was worshiped by your ancestor David. I heard you pray, and I saw you cry.  I will let you live fifteen years more, while I protect you and your city from the king of Assyria. Isaiah 38: 3–6 [CEV]

It is good when God answers our prayers and performs miracles.  But it is awesome to see God doing the impossible.  Because Hezekiah did not believe the prophet who told him that he was going to be healed in three days, he asked God to give him a sign that this would really happen.  

Hezekiah asked Isaiah, "Can you prove that the LORD will heal me, so that I can worship in his temple in three days?"  Isaiah replied, "The LORD will prove to you that he will keep his promise.  Will the shadow made by the setting sun on the stairway go forward ten steps or back ten steps?"
"It's normal for the sun to go forward," Hezekiah answered. "But how can it go back?"

Isaiah prayed, and the LORD made the shadow go back ten steps on the stairway built for King Ahaz. 2 Kings 20:8–11 [CEV]

In those days shadows were used to measure time.  God stopped the entire universe including the earth and caused it to rotate backwards for some minutes or hours!  He did this just to prove to one sick man that the word he had spoken was true.  The man had prayed reminding God of how he had served him, particularly restoring the worship.

If you have been obedient, faithful and trusting in God and now you are in trouble, why don’t you, like Hezekiah, remind God of how you have served him in the past.  Nothing is impossible with him and he is the same today yesterday and tomorrow.