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If I Only Had 15 More Years



   Recently in Bible class, we were discussing the power of prayer.  We looked at the example of King Hezekiah when he was informed by God to get his affairs in order because he would soon die.  He prayed to God to spare him and in 2nd Kings 20:5-6 we see God response, 
"I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you. On the third day you shall go up to the house of the LORD.  I will add fifteen years to your life, and I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for My own sake and for My servant David's sake."
   Not only would he survive his illness but God would give him 15 more years of life and protect his kingdom.  All in all an amazing example of the power of God and how he answers prayer.

   But what did King Hezekiah do with those 15 years?

   The Bible tells us that after his recovery he is visited by representative of faraway land.  To impress the ambassadors, he shows off all of the treasures of his house and kingdom.  Later, he learn that faraway land Babylon, now knowing the wealth in Judah, will eventually come to take it all away.  Also, during that time he has a son Manasseh who will take his father’s throne at the mere age of 12.  Whatever good Hezekiah accomplished in his exemplary reign, his son undid in his years as one the worst kings in Judah history.
  
  The answer to his prayer (more life) was granted but not put to good use.  He puts his kingdom in future danger.  He doesn't use the time to teach his son to respect and obey the Lord.  His attitude is reflected in his response when God tells him the cost of showing off to the Babylonians. He know what God told him is true but thought, "Is it not so, if there will be peace and truth in my days?" (2 Kings 20:19).  He not concerned about the future or his legacy, only in what happens right now in his life.

   I am afraid we often time pray like Hezekiah.  We want God to bless us., To give us longer lives, more things, decrease our suffering, make life easier but at what cost?. If a longer life causes us to bring misery to others, do we really want that?  If more riches make us forget about God, should we be asking for them?  If we ask to be free from suffering that will draw us closer to God, are we truly benefiting?

   When we think about the here and now and not about what we will do with those blessing or how they may affect our relationship to God, our prayers can actually be harmful.  If our prayers are about what we want and not what is best for us and others, God would serve us better by not listening.  As James says in James 4:2-3, “ You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

  What are we praying for? The here and now or what will benefit us in eternity? What are we doing with the blessing God gives us? Using them on our own pleasures and vanity, or using them to store up “treasures in heaven”?

If God answers you prayers, would it be a good thing?
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