DAY 197 Read 2 Kings 20; 2 Chronicles 32:24-33; Isaiah 38 and 39.
Today's reading: King Hezekiah falls ill, and unusual events accompany his healing.
Memory gem: "The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth" (Isaiah 38:19).
Thought for today:
You will notice in this case the promise of healing came at once, even before the prophet Isaiah had time to get out of the palace, and that the king was instructed by the prophet of God to cooperate in the work of healing by putting a plaster or poultice of figs on the boil which was afflicting him. This showed no lack of faith. It was ordered from the same source that gave the promise of recovery.
Let us continue to study Christ's ministry of healing power. And let us not forget that it is not a denial of our faith to make use of the remedial agencies available--the things that God has provided to alleviate pain and to aid nature in her work of restoration. God could have cured Hezekiah instantly, but specific directions were given regarding natural treatment in his case. On one occasion Jesus anointed a blind man's eyes with clay. The cure was wrought only by the power of Christ, yet He made use of the simple agencies of nature. When we have prayed for the recovery of the sick and have asked God's blessing on the means which He Himself has provided, we can work with all the more hope and energy and thank God for the privilege of cooperating with Him.
After we have prayed, let us have faith in God, whatever the outcome. If bereavement comes, let us remember that the bitter cup is held to our lips by our Father's hand. Should health be restored, let us not forget that the person healed is placed under added obligation to the Lord. He is healed to help; he is saved to serve. His added days of life and health are for a purpose, and that purpose is to glorify God and to do good to others.
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Difficult or obscure words:
2 Kings 20:12. "Berodach-baladan"--Correctly spelled Merodach-baladan in Isaiah 39:1. He was at this time a king in exile seeking for allies in his life-long attempt to free Babylon from Assyrian domination.
Today's reading: King Hezekiah falls ill, and unusual events accompany his healing.
Memory gem: "The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth" (Isaiah 38:19).
Thought for today:
You will notice in this case the promise of healing came at once, even before the prophet Isaiah had time to get out of the palace, and that the king was instructed by the prophet of God to cooperate in the work of healing by putting a plaster or poultice of figs on the boil which was afflicting him. This showed no lack of faith. It was ordered from the same source that gave the promise of recovery.
Let us continue to study Christ's ministry of healing power. And let us not forget that it is not a denial of our faith to make use of the remedial agencies available--the things that God has provided to alleviate pain and to aid nature in her work of restoration. God could have cured Hezekiah instantly, but specific directions were given regarding natural treatment in his case. On one occasion Jesus anointed a blind man's eyes with clay. The cure was wrought only by the power of Christ, yet He made use of the simple agencies of nature. When we have prayed for the recovery of the sick and have asked God's blessing on the means which He Himself has provided, we can work with all the more hope and energy and thank God for the privilege of cooperating with Him.
After we have prayed, let us have faith in God, whatever the outcome. If bereavement comes, let us remember that the bitter cup is held to our lips by our Father's hand. Should health be restored, let us not forget that the person healed is placed under added obligation to the Lord. He is healed to help; he is saved to serve. His added days of life and health are for a purpose, and that purpose is to glorify God and to do good to others.
----------------
Difficult or obscure words:
2 Kings 20:12. "Berodach-baladan"--Correctly spelled Merodach-baladan in Isaiah 39:1. He was at this time a king in exile seeking for allies in his life-long attempt to free Babylon from Assyrian domination.
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