Hezekiah, King of Judah, was one of the better kings of Israel/Judah. But he lacked one thing. The story is told in Isaiah chapter 39. Hezekiah recovered from a near-death illness, and received cards and a present from Merodach-baladan, King of Babylon. He was extremely pleased with the regards sent from such high-ranking people of his day, and decided to show him around the palace, showing off to impress the king of mighty Babylon. Afterall, it's not every day world leaders come to visit, even when you are a world leader yourself!
The prophet, Isaiah happened to come along and see the foreign visitors hanging around, and asked King Hezekiah where they came from and what they said. Hezekiah told Isaiah he had showed them everything, the treasury, the weapons Judah had, everything. Isaiah responded that a day would come when everything in Hezekiah's house and all that his fathers before him had laid up in store for him would be carried off to Babylon. He added that Hezekiah's sons would be taken captive and become slaves.
This sounds like sad news, to hear that after you're gone, your children are going to be captured into slavery. But, Hezekiah responded that this was a good prophecy, seeing that it wouldn't happen on his watch, and he would have peace in his time.
Isaiah 39:8 Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.
No vision! How can we be so shortsighted! How can we fail to feel a burden for our children and God's Kingdom?Hezekiah lacked vision. He could not see ahead of him, beyond his own time. It has been said that vision is the art of seeing what others fail to see. Hezekiah missed the mark, seeing only about as far as the hand in front of his face. He seemed to have no idea that nothing that dies with you is of any value. Some things have lasting value; some don't. Impressing the neighbors is never as important as planning for your children's future.
Spending time with your children is one of the most important things that a parent has to do in this life, even more important than any other ministry, for they are our primary ministry. What is your vision? What is it that you are doing that you see as having value? Why are you here? You've heard people say, "Get a life!" (Usually followed by the word loser, and maybe a little "L" hand gesture held against the forehead.) But, I want more than a life. I want a life that connects in some way to the life that remains here on earth after I am gone. That is the only way to win this game. That applies in both the physical and spiritual realm. I want a life that is connected to the life in heaven...something that will transport me the distance from here to there. And, with the rising prices of oil, it won't be gasoline.
The prophet, Isaiah happened to come along and see the foreign visitors hanging around, and asked King Hezekiah where they came from and what they said. Hezekiah told Isaiah he had showed them everything, the treasury, the weapons Judah had, everything. Isaiah responded that a day would come when everything in Hezekiah's house and all that his fathers before him had laid up in store for him would be carried off to Babylon. He added that Hezekiah's sons would be taken captive and become slaves.
This sounds like sad news, to hear that after you're gone, your children are going to be captured into slavery. But, Hezekiah responded that this was a good prophecy, seeing that it wouldn't happen on his watch, and he would have peace in his time.
Isaiah 39:8 Then said Hezekiah to Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. He said moreover, For there shall be peace and truth in my days.
No vision! How can we be so shortsighted! How can we fail to feel a burden for our children and God's Kingdom?Hezekiah lacked vision. He could not see ahead of him, beyond his own time. It has been said that vision is the art of seeing what others fail to see. Hezekiah missed the mark, seeing only about as far as the hand in front of his face. He seemed to have no idea that nothing that dies with you is of any value. Some things have lasting value; some don't. Impressing the neighbors is never as important as planning for your children's future.
Spending time with your children is one of the most important things that a parent has to do in this life, even more important than any other ministry, for they are our primary ministry. What is your vision? What is it that you are doing that you see as having value? Why are you here? You've heard people say, "Get a life!" (Usually followed by the word loser, and maybe a little "L" hand gesture held against the forehead.) But, I want more than a life. I want a life that connects in some way to the life that remains here on earth after I am gone. That is the only way to win this game. That applies in both the physical and spiritual realm. I want a life that is connected to the life in heaven...something that will transport me the distance from here to there. And, with the rising prices of oil, it won't be gasoline.
