2 Kings 20:1-6: a reflection

1In those days Hezekiah was sick and dying. Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him, and said to him, “The LORD says, ‘Set your house in order; for you will die, and not live.’” 2Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying, 3“Remember now, LORD, I beg you, how I have walked before you in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4Before Isaiah had gone out into the middle part of the city, the LORD’s word came to him, saying, 5“Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people, ‘The LORD, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you will go up to the LORD’s house. 6I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”’”

When King Hezekiah is told by the prophet Isaiah that he will die of his illness and not recover, he does not simply resign himself; he turns to God in earnest prayer, weeping bitterly, pleading with God. And before Isaiah has even left the palace, God sends him back with an answer: I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. I will add to your days fifteen years. God heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears, and was moved to answer, adding years to his life. The desperate prayer, poured out with tears, was heard by a God who sees our tears and is moved by them.

Notice that God heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears. Hezekiah did not merely accept the verdict; he prayed earnestly, poured out his heart, wept before God. And God's answer names both his prayer and his tears: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. God was not indifferent to Hezekiah's desperate plea and his weeping; he heard, he saw, and he was moved to answer. Our prayers and our tears are not unseen or unheard by God; he sees the tears we shed in our desperate praying, and is moved by them. God heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears, and answered; our desperate prayers and tears reach a God who sees and is moved.

That is worth taking to heart, for God hears our prayers and sees our tears, and is moved by them. When we are in desperate need, we can pray and weep, pouring out our hearts to God, and wonder whether he hears or sees; but God heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears, and was moved to answer. Our prayers are not unheard, our tears not unseen; God sees the tears we shed in our desperate praying, and is moved by them. When you pray in desperate need, pouring out your heart with tears, remember that God hears your prayer and sees your tears, as he heard Hezekiah and saw his weeping. Pray with confidence that God hears your prayers and sees your tears, and is moved by them, as he heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears and added years to his life; for our prayers and tears are not unheard or unseen by God, but reach a God who sees the tears we shed in our desperate praying and is moved to answer.

Lord, when King Hezekiah is told by the prophet Isaiah that he will die of his illness and not recover, he does not simply resign himself; he turns to you in earnest prayer, weeping bitterly, pleading with you. And before Isaiah has even left the palace, you send him back with an answer: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears; behold, I will heal you; I will add to your days fifteen years. You heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears, and were moved to answer. Show me that you heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears. Hezekiah did not merely accept the verdict; he prayed earnestly, poured out his heart, wept before you. And your answer names both his prayer and his tears: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears. You were not indifferent to Hezekiah's desperate plea and his weeping; you heard, you saw, and you were moved to answer. Our prayers and our tears are not unseen or unheard by you; you see the tears we shed in our desperate praying, and are moved by them. Take that to my heart, for you hear my prayers and see my tears, and are moved by them. When I am in desperate need, I can pray and weep, pouring out my heart to you, and wonder whether you hear or see; but you heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears, and were moved to answer. My prayers are not unheard, my tears not unseen. When I pray in desperate need, pouring out my heart with tears, help me remember that you hear my prayer and see my tears, Lord, as you heard Hezekiah and saw his weeping, and help me pray with confidence that you are moved by them.