During the war, the famous Scottish comedian, Sir Harry Lauder, got the news his son had been killed in France. In the sadness of those hours, he said, "In a time like this there are three courses open to a man. He may give up in despair, sour upon the world, and become a grouch. He may endeavor to drown his sorrow in drink or a life of waywardness and wickedness. Or he may turn to God."
Sorrows do come, and our happiness and survival depend on our reactions to them. When Hezekiah became desperately ill, he was sure he would die. Yet in those moments, he turned to God and prayed a long prayer for healing (2 Kings 20:1-11). God heard and answered his prayer, adding fifteen fruitful years to this good king's life.
Perhaps the strongest lesson we can learn from Hezekiah's story is to never give up. We have not depleted our resources until we have wept and prayed about our plight. God may have a higher and more holy purpose in our suffering, but this can never be actualized if we become spiritual dropouts. The wise man turns away from bitterness to the Lord, the only real help in the time of trouble. As Paul said: "Having done all, stand."
“Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord.”
2 Kings 20:5 KJV
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