Moping

2 Kings 20:1,2,3b,4,5a,6a – In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, "This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover." Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord. And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: "Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people, 'This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. I will add fifteen years to your life.'" (ESV)

Somehow, through the passing of time, the PCCWeb Daily readership has become a part of my extended family. Some have written unbidden to ask whether I am okay. When am I going to write some more devotionals?

My problem has been that life is cyclical: three steps forward and then two steps backwards. Just when I thought I was doing so well being a hero again, splat! I find myself grovelling!

The recent splat was the biggest and longest I have had as an adult and which lasted a few months. Life is too short to be wasting it being ill, getting better slowly, and stressing over the things that are beyond my control. So now, as I am once more gaining strength and confidence by the grace of God, I prepare to take on the world again and spread the Word.

Recently, God and I have been little more than passing acquaintances, good-morning-good-day-and-good-night! Yes, but like Hezekiah, there are no shortcuts. You just have to plough on until you can come to your senses.

There is no substitute for being humbled before God — not a phenomenon I am keen on. So you can see where the three steps forward and two backwards originate: over-familiarity. I believe that with humility comes trust, patience, and empowerment into whatever God has called us to. I am just not good at the hard yards getting up there to gain a better view. Praise God for His mercy shown towards us.

So, here I am, back at last — not that He wasn't here — I was just not in a place to perceive it. So, if some of our readers are out there under the cosh like me, let's do ourselves a favour and get down on our spiritual knees and pray as if our lives depended on it. We could be right, and like Hezekiah, we may get a revelation. Praise God!

Prayer: Lord, yes, well, there is no hiding from You the truth of our situation. We have messed up, and yet You have remained faithful. Forgive us what is past, and sanctify our hearts once more to be blessed by You. Accepted in Your tender care, may our lamp be refilled, may Your light shine, and may we have the courage to stand up for the Kingdom wherever that finds us today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

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