Prayer Dynamics furnished by Rev. E. Anderson

November 24, 2007 at 9:23 pm (Prayer Dynamics)

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Rev. E. Anderson

PRAYING FOR HEALING

READING       2 Kings 20

 TEXT              v3 

HUMAN FACTOR: The account commences with the king falling foul of a sickness that will end in death. There was no natural cure for him so the prospect before him was one of leaving the scenes of time. It becomes evident that it was not something that he was prepared for and, the impression created is that he kind of resented what was seemingly inevitable.  

DIVINE REVELATION: The word of the Lord came to him confirming the fact of what was going to be. This was God’s mind and will. There also was given a good directive to him with regard to his household. The Lord was giving him the opportunity of impacting and inputting his home and the kingdom in a positive manner so that it would benefit at his decease. Not everyone is given this kind of privilege of performing maximum good before their death so it was a gracious favour of the Lord to the king. Evidently there were things that required some divine attention with regard to others and self. The reaction of the monarch reveals he did not read the situation aright and so missed out on something that could have been to supreme advantage to others and self. As the news comes to him he gives himself to prayer. There are lessons to be drawn from this record. 

       1/.  IT WAS A PRAYER THAT IMMEDIATELY BIRTHED FROM THE PERSONAL CRISIS - v2

As far as he was concerned, the news of the prophet was bad; it was negative. It did not fill him with any sense of peace or purpose but rather with gloom and grief. He expected something different from the Lord. As soon as he heard the word and prospect he is on his knees for a reversal of the situation. Who knew best? Was the Lord the best judge or he? It seems that he did not give time for the message to sink in nor did he think it through because prayer is instantly engaged upon. The Lord surely has made a mistake.

        2/.  IT WAS A PRAYER OF INTENSE BURDEN AND LONGING – v3

Hezekiah is completely overtaken with what he has heard and begins to plead with the Lord about it. His opening remarks express this: “ beseech you, O LORD.’ He is not prepared to accept the judgement of the One who knows best. He feels that his time is not up and he is not ready and willing to yield to his end. 

       3/.  IT WAS A PRAYER OF HONESTY BUT LACKED HUMILITY – v3

In briefly analyzing his prayer it is obvious that he is very much taken up with an admiration of himself. Whilst to a great extent it was true, he would have been better to reflect upon the goodness of the Lord and His virtues. He was making the grounds of his faith and conduct the grounds of approval and the reason why his prayer should be answered. This is not good motivation.

       4/.  IT WAS A PRAYER THAT WAS AFFECTED BY SELF-PITY – V3

His excessive grief makes it evident that he was moved a great deal from the base of self-pity and missed completely the purpose of the whole exercise. His world centred round self. He did not see beyond the bounds of his own life.

       5/.  IT WAS A PRAYER SPEEDILY RESPONDED TO – v4

The prophet had not got very far when he is stayed in his movement and receives another word from God. The Lord was quick and changed His mind and responded to the king’s prayer. It does reveal that the Lord is not blind, deaf or impotent but can suddenly act. He gives a time limit and assures of the deliverance of the city – v6.      

      

        6/.  IT WAS A PRAYER THAT WAS CONFIRMED WITH DIVINE SIGN – vv7-11

There is some wavering on the part of Hezekiah because he asks for a token that this will be so. There is a seeming lack of faith in the prophet’s word. The Lord is kind and gives the king an option and is prepared to perform the more difficult thing – v10. There is no limit to what He can do.      

        7/.  IT WAS A PRAYER BETTER LEFT UNANSWERED – vv12-19

Very soon events prove how right the Lord had been. Messengers come from Babylon to inquire re-his condition having heard of his sickness. This was alright in itself but the king conducts them on a tour and shows the treasury. It appears to be a manifest evidence of pride. One would have thought his recent experience would have told and taught his something. His own heart and house were not in order. The prophet comes with the Lord’s word of judgment and Hezekiah is not too concerned as long as peace is in his time – v19. He lacks the spiritual sense to note the implications of the message. Self is much to the fore.

CONCLUSION

At the end of the day he still had to die but had he set his house in order?

Death must not be viewed with great foreboding but with certainty and opportunity.

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Christian Prime Timers constituted by Rev. E. Anderson

November 24, 2007 at 9:09 pm (Christian Prime Timers)

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Rev. E. Anderson

A PARTNERSHIP OF PRIME TIMERS

Elisabeth was to fulfill a key role within this spiritual partnership. She was a suitable companion for this godly man and together they bore a credible witness and carried a tremendous spiritual presence and influence. They saw themselves as an integral part of one another in accord with the Lord to achieve His plan for their lives and ministries. She was the other side of the coin that made the currency genuine and effectual.

A WOMAN OF STERLING WORTH

One must never underestimate the value of this choice woman who loved and served the Lord with great distinction at a difficult and needful time in the life of her nation and the world. What is stated of her makes commendable ready and study and there are things of note to be duly highlighted.

      1/. SHE WAS DEDICATED TO A LIFE THAT PLEASED THE LORD – v6 

She was not satisfied or prepared just to allow her husband to manifest a godly life; she must also demonstrate very clearly in her calling as a woman in Israel what she thought of the Lord and His standards. It was up to her to leave a witness to the rest of the womenfolk how they should behave and was an example as a godly wife. Because of this attitude and procedure she impacted heaven and was to be singled out for a great role and purpose. 

      2/.  SHE WAS READY TO BE THE INSTRUMENT THROUGH WHICH THIS UNIQUE CHILD SHOULD BE BORN – v24 

Although it was at a late time in life and at a difficult period she welcomed the opportunity of being a child-bearer and mother. She was not to be by-passed after all and this must have been delighted at the turn of events. It was worth seeing her husband struck dumb during her pregnancy as she enjoyed the fact of conception and the prospect of a babe in her home. In no way did she consider it too late in the day!

        3/.  SHE RECOGNIZED THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD IN TAKING AWAY HER REPROACH – V25      

When it occurred she went into a period of hiding and privacy not ready to make a show about her changed situation. There was no gloating in pride or arrogance only a gratefulness of mind and heart that the Lord had removed a stigma from her. Instead of being regarded in a wrong way she would be seen as someone favoured and special. She could now lift her head high and give the Lord the praise for this unique act of kindness.

     4/.  SHE EXPERIENCED AN EXTRAORDINAY BLESSING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN CONFIMATION AS TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING – vv39-41

There were to be further developments on a greater scale that she was to be an active agency. As Mary makes her visit and tells her unique story something unusual happens inside of her with respect to the chil she was bearing. When Mary tells her the news of her pregnancy the ‘babe leaps in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit’. It is obvious that something major and significant is happening of a divine order of which she is part. This incident is but an endorsement of what is taking place even in a greater manner in her cousin. It was something extraordinary that she she should pass through an experience of this nature.

       5/.  SHE WAS GRANTED DIVINE PERCEPTION AS TO HER COUSIN’S ESTATE – V42, 43

 This is a blessed moment as she is given true, divine understanding as to what is actually occurring. She is blessed as she senses the special place that Mary will have in history as the one who bore the Christ-child. Whilst she is blessed in being pregnant with the prospect of a unique child, the one before her was to be the mother of the greatest baby ever born. She is further humbled by the fact that this should be happening to her – v43. It was one thing to bear the prophet who was to be he herald of the Messiah and another thing to be singled out for this revelation on Mary’s condition.

        6/.  SHE MAKES A PROCLAMATION OF FAITH THAT WAS MUSIC TO THE EARS OF HER RELATIVE – vv45 What an outstanding woman of faith Elisabeth turns out to be! In an inspiring proclamation, never to be forgotten and ever to be repeated she says: ‘Blessed is she who believed, for there will be fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord’ – v45. History proved how right this dear saint and mother was in this connection. All came to pass. Mary must have been overwhelmed yet thrilled by what she was hearing. 

CONCLUSION

Elisabeth not only set the standard and example to her day and generation on many fronts but became a pattern for all Christian womenfolk. She reflects that even in later life things can take a significant turn in and by the Lord and that there can come a greater contribution at an unexpected time to history. When there is devotion and pleasing of the Lord then He responds with great gestures of providence and blessing.     

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