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This week I have begun to ponder upcoming Easter remembrances. 

On Sunday we sang a song, “I Come to the Garden Alone.” The chorus reminds us, “And He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, none other has ever known.” It is a great remembrance that God desires to speak with us and spend time with us. 

Our remembrance of Easter is a time to reflect that, not only are we being rescued from an eternity without God, but that we are spending an eternity with God.  He is not absent from our lives.  He hears our prayers and He lovingly responds.   

A beautiful passage in the Word explains, “In those days, Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’” Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and 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.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.  Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying, “Go and say to Hezekiah, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add 15 years to your life.” (Isaiah 38:1-5)

God heard the desire of Hezekiah’s heart.  He had a desire to live and continue serving the Lord.  God heard Hezekiah’s prayer and gave him an extra 15 years. 

As Christ followers, we need to remember that God is listening to His children.  Hezekiah was not being punished. There is no indication that he had done anything wrong. 

In fact, how wonderful it was that God cared enough to give him notice so that he might get his affairs in order.  He had time to plan and do whatever he desired. 

As Christ followers, we know that God knew Hezekiah wanted to live longer.  We can learn from Hezekiah’s example by walking before God in truth and with our whole heart do what is good.  The Bible is for Christ followers. It is for us to learn. The word makes it clear over and over, that God desires for us to walk with Him and to talk with Him.  “A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.” (James 5:16) 

Be encouraged and accomplish much.

Yvette Perrin is a columnist for The Charlotte Gazette. She can be reached at theword2yvette@gmail.com.