PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER

ISAIAH 38:1-22

INTRODUCTION

Death is not a respecter of persons. Death does not care that you are infant, child, mother, father, king or queen. It does not care about your usefulness, prime life or throne. King Hezekiah was at the prime of his rule, but death came knocking. God wants us to put the affairs of life in order. Some people have their temporal affairs out of order; Family, home, relationships. Many have not put their spiritual affairs in order, they are not born again, no baptism, tithes, offerings, their works before God are lacking. Their book of acts is blank!!. if you are given hours to live and that your life as you know it will end! Will you panic?, Party? Or pray? Life is unpredictable enough, but what if your life was shortened. Hezekiah the King of Judah suffered an unknown fatal illness when he was at the prime of his life. He was ill to the point of death. What would you do, if it was you in deep trouble, when you have a poor in health and when you are all but dead?

Let us learn:-

I.  CLING TO THE LORD ALONE (Isaiah 38:1-2)

• A young man came to Socrates one day and said “Mr Socrates, I have come 1500miles to gain wisdom and learning from you “
• Socrates said “Come, follow me” He led the young man to the ocean. He seized him and held him under the ocean until the young man stopped struggling. When his resistance was gone. Socrates laid him on the shore and left him there!
• When the young man regained consciousness and strength, he came to Socrates. Socrates asked the young man when you were underwater what was the most important thing you needed? He said, “Air,” Socrates said, “when you want knowledge and understanding as badly as you wanted air, you won’t have to ask anyone to give it to you”
• When Isaiah the prophet went to Hezekiah’s palace and advised him to put his house in order, Hezekiah knew it was pointless to consult the finest doctors or seek a second opinion.
• Hezekiah knew that he would not live or recover.
• His illness could mean anything from being weak (Judges 16:7) wounded (I Kings 22:34) or faint (Isa.57:10)
• Jacob suffered from the same illness in old age (Gen.48:1-2)
• Hezekiah’s future was very bleak, but Hezekiah did not give up and die, shut up and die, curl up and die.
• Hezekiah took his position, he turned to the wall and implored the God of Heaven.
• He left Isaiah alone, faced the wall and prayed right there and then.
• The first Hebrew word from his mouth was “Please” or “I Pray” or “I Beseech thee”
• Abraham pleaded with God four times for God’s mercy on behalf of Lot (Gen.18:27,30,31,32)
• Hezekiah did not blame God, curse or deny Him.
• Hezekiah prayed all the way till his last word, breath and tear.
• Hezekiah did not ask Isaiah for prayer, mercy or council.
• Hezekiah prayed immediately, forcefully, continually, steadfastly, intensely, powerfully and untiringly.
• Hezekiah went to the source, maker and the giver of life (V.12-15)
• Hezekiah like Job asked “O Lord, come to my Aid (V.10, Job 7:11; 10)

II.  COMMIT TO THE LORD ALONE (Isaiah 38:3)

• “Time and Tide wait for no man” “Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes” (Andy Rooney).
• In the legend “a merchant of Baghdad” the merchant sent his servant to the market, where he found Mr Death who threatened him.
• The servant went back to his master requesting for the fastest horse to flee to Samara to hide, the master later met with Mr Death, “Why did you threaten my servant?” I was surprised to see him in Baghdad this morning because I have an appointment with him in Samarra!!
• Hezekiah recounted his life before God.

1. I have walked before God faithfully and with a true heart. Like King David (I Kings 3:6, Psalm 26:3)
2. I have walked before God whole heartedly and in devotion, only three other Kings had achieved this; David (I Kings 11:4) Asa (I Kings 15:14) Amaziah (2 Chro.25:2)
3. I have done what was right and good in the eyes of God.

• Hezekiah did not ask for good health but for God’s mercy.
• Hezekiah kept the commands of the Lord given to Moses (2 Kings 18:5-6)
• No other King had a worse father as predecessor like Hezekiah (Ahaz) (2 Kings 16:2-4)

III.  CRY TO THE LORD ALONE (Isaiah 38:4-6)

• Tears are a sign of helplessness and powerlessness, not weakness.
• The Maasai people say “Men shed blood not tears” But the truth is; babies cry, adults cry, women cry, men cry even God’s Son cried (John 11:35, Lk.19:41)
• Hezekiah cried like Hannah (I Sam.1:10) servants of David (2 Sam.13:36) Ezra (10:1)
• Don’t complain to God instead of cry for mercy.
• Hezekiah did not spend time choosing a coffin, giving funeral instructions or writing a will- He cried for Gods mercy.
• This is the only time God declared he had seen someone’s tears.
• God declared he had seen:

1. People’s deeds (Gen.31:12)
2. Character (Ex.32:9)
3. Blood (2 Kings 9:26)
4. Hypocrisy (Jeremiah 3:11)
5. Idolatry (Jer.13:27)
6. Folly (Jer.23:13)

• God sees and hears prayer.

CONCLUSION

• Life is God’s gift. Life does not ask you what you want.
• Things can go wrong, people get sick. One time you are on the throne, the next you are on the bed.
• Be thankful to Him for the gift of life- long or short.
• God has given us eternal life (I John 5:11-12)
• Are you ready if death knocks on your door?
• Without God, we live without meaning and in vain.