Then this message came to Isaiah from the Lord: “Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, ‘This is what the Lord…says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life.’” — Isaiah 38:4-5 NLT
If you are a sports fan, you will be familiar with the term “Extra Time” in some sports. For example, in a football match, a standard game lasts for 90 minutes, with two 45-minute halves separated by a 15-minute rest at half-time. “Extra Time” is time added on to separate two sides in a cup competition game, if the result is inconclusive at the end of the standard time.
The background to our scripture is found in verse 1 – “About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: ‘This is what the Lord says: “Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.”’” Isaiah 38:1 (NLT)
Hezekiah was sick and near death, he was in a place where his life was about to be cut short. The prophet Isaiah showed up to give him a message from God to set his house in order because he would die from the sickness. In contemporary and modern times, setting one’s house in order may involve writing a will, sharing one’s properties, or resolving all unresolved family matters.
Considering that he was a young man of about 40 years of age with no children, this news was a particularly painful one for Hezekiah. Isaiah’s message may have re-affirmed a fact that was obvious to Hezekiah, but this only succeeded in driving him to the place of prayer.
Hezekiah prayed – “Remember, O Lord, how I have always been faithful to you and have served you single-mindedly, always doing what pleases you…” Isaiah 38:3 (NLT). His prayer was answered with God adding 15 years to his life.
Hezekiah responded to the extra time given him by singing a song of praise to the LORD. He said, “Think of it—the Lord is ready to heal me! I will sing his praises with instruments every day of my life in the Temple of the Lord.” Isaiah 38:20 (NLT)
We all know of family members, loved ones, and friends who have run their race, have died and are gone. But you are still here! I have had close shaves with death on numerous occasions. I would not be here today if not for the grace of God.
Every time we go to bed at night and wake up in the morning, we’ve been given extra time. If you’re reading this message, you’re either about to or have already crossed over into the New Year 2024. The question is what do you do with the extra time you have been given? How will you live your life in 2024?
Pray with me – O LORD, teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Psalms 90:12 (NLT)
Happy New Year and stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 