Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: ‘Go and say to Hezekiah, Thus says the Lord, the God of your ancestor David: I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Friday, November 25, 2022
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
King Hezekiah was going to die. Isaiah told him plainly that he would not recover from his illness, that he should get his affairs in order. Hezekiah was understandably devastated. He “wept bitterly.” He prayed to God and pointed out what a good person he had been. I imagine I would do the same if I were given a terminal diagnosis.
In Hezekiah’s case, God responded quickly—he gave Hezekiah a reprieve from his illness for fifteen years. Not indefinitely. Just for a set amount of time. I don’t know how old Hezekiah was at this point. Was his life extended until he was 45? 60? 80? Would it make a difference?
What would I do if, on my deathbed, I got a message straight from God telling me I had fifteen more years? That would put me at 66 years old. Would I be bitter that I didn’t get to live longer? Would I be so blown away by the second chance that I’d dedicate my life to ministry? Would I try to cram in as much experience—and probably self-indulgence—as I could in that time, I mean really milk it for all it was worth? I would hope that I would see the time as gift and use it wisely and according to God’s will for the time. But I can’t be sure—I’m human and flawed like everyone else.
Perhaps this text is a call to wonder about just what we are doing with our lives in this moment. Are there ways in which we might be closer to God and God’s direction for us? Are we squandering time in worrying about things we can’t control rather than enjoying the abundant beauty of God’s creation? Are we holding onto resentments rather than making peace with the people in our lives? Why wait until we know our time is limited, when we live now in the spaciousness of moments and the blissful ignorance of the day of our death? Why not ask God to point us to the nearest opportunity for meaningful interactions with the world?
How does an acceptance of mortality allow me to live a richer and more meaningful life?
