God Sees the Tears
In 2 Kings 20, we find the story of Hezekiah, a faithful king of Judah, who suddenly faced a life-threatening illness. The prophet Isaiah came to him with a devastating message from God: 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live' (2 Kings 20:1). This was more than just bad news; it was a divine decree of the end of Hezekiah's life. Hezekiah had faithfully led his people, trusting in God, but now he was at the end of his road, with death looming before him.
In response to this crushing message, Hezekiah immediately turned to the Lord. The Bible says, "He turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord" (2 Kings 20:2). This simple act of turning to the wall reveals his desperate need to shut out the world and focus solely on God. Hezekiah didn’t waste time arguing with Isaiah or looking for worldly solutions. Instead, he sought the only One who could truly help him in his hour of need. This teaches us that, when we are faced with overwhelming situations, our first response should be to turn directly to God in prayer.
Hezekiah’s prayer was simple and sincere. He said, "Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart and have done what is good in Your sight" (2 Kings 20:3). He didn’t try to manipulate God or plead his case through bargaining. Instead, he simply reminded God of his faithful walk, humbly asking God to remember his devotion. This wasn’t a prayer of entitlement but an appeal to God’s mercy. Hezekiah’s honesty in his prayer serves as an example for us all. He wasn’t putting on a show or using flowery words; he was pouring out his heart before God.
In verse 3, we see a profound moment: "And Hezekiah wept bitterly." This was a man at the end of his strength, not afraid to express his deepest emotions before the Lord. His weeping was part of his prayer, showing how fully he poured out his soul. Just like Hannah in 1 Samuel, Hezekiah wasn’t ashamed to cry out to God with tears. It reminds us that prayer is not just about words—it’s about offering our whole heart, even when it’s broken. God desires authenticity, and Hezekiah’s tears show us that we can bring our deepest pain and struggles to God without holding back.
What happened next is extraordinary. Before Isaiah had even left the palace, God responded. He told Isaiah to go back to Hezekiah with a new message: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add fifteen years to your life” (2 Kings 20:5). God not only heard Hezekiah’s prayer but also saw his tears. He understood the depth of Hezekiah’s pain and responded with mercy and compassion. This moment reveals God’s heart for His people. He is not distant or uncaring—He hears every prayer, and He sees every tear. His response to Hezekiah was immediate and gracious, granting him fifteen more years of life.
While we may not always receive the answer we hope for, Hezekiah’s story reminds us that God is always listening. He sees every tear we cry and understands the depths of our hearts. Hezekiah’s prayer teaches us that we can come to God with our most desperate needs, knowing that He is a compassionate and merciful God who cares for us deeply. When we feel like we’re at the end of our rope, God is still there, ready to listen, ready to comfort, and ready to act according to His will.
“What I write is not for everyone, but what I write is meant for someone.”
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I am the author of two books: Embracing God's Wisdom: A Journey of Faith and Reflection and Embracing God’s Wisdom: Paul’s Commands for Victorious Living. Both are available on Amazon.