2 Kings 20:4-11
The Lord has heard Hezekiah’s prayer and seen his tears. He remembers Hezekiah as the leader of His people. He remembers His covenant with David, Hezekiah’s father. For His own sake and for the sake of His servant David, the Lord promises to heal Hezekiah, to extend Hezekiah’s life for another fifteen years, to deliver him and the city of Jerusalem from the enemy, and the Lord Himself will defend the city. God has promised things that are beyond Hezekiah’s immediate needs, namely his health and life. God’s promises are not merely concerned with Hezekiah’s safety, but for His people’s welfare as well. Thus, it concerns not merely Hezekiah’s personal affairs, but the survival of the whole people of God with its long- term implication.
I think the most important grace God has promised to Hezekiah is that on the third day Hezekiah shall go up to the temple of the Lord. It means that Hezekiah will be able to come to God’s presence and find God’s favour upon him. God will accept him as he comes to the temple. He will be able to glorify God, to praise God, to give thanks to and worship God. No other grace is greater than having God’s favour upon us and His acceptance as we come before Him. God knew Hezekiah’s heart, how dearly he loved the habitation of God’s house and that as soon as he was well he would attend public worship. We notice this from Hezekiah’s song in Isaiah 38:19-20,
“The living, the living, he thanks You, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children Your faithfulness. The Lord will save me, and we will play my music on stringed instruments all the days of our lives, at the house of the Lord.
Therefore, it is understandable that Hezekiah asked for a sign of grace for the encouragement of his faith. He wants to ensure that he will continuously find God’s favour and–by implication, God’s blessing and salvation for the kingdom.
We should observe various signs of grace throughout our journey in following Christ for a few reasons: 1) To remember God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. 2) To assure us of our Salvation in Christ. 3) To encourage us to faithfully follow Christ. 4) To remind us to return to the Lord when we wander off. The cross is a sign of grace by which we remember what the Lord Jesus has done for us. The Holy Communion is a sign of grace through which not only do we remember the Lord, but also partake in the communion with Him.
Apostle Paul gives thanks to God for the signs of grace he observes in the life of the Thessalonian believers as their faith grows abundantly, as their love is increasing and as they grow in steadfastness of hope and perseverance in suffering (2 Thess. 1:3-4). Are we growing in our faith, love and hope? If we are, we should give thanks for His grace!