The Ballestero Blog

The Answered Prayer That Brought Pain

Be careful what you ask for.

Some answered prayers bring much pain.

2 Kings 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.

Hezekiah was on his deathbed. He knew he was sick and wasn’t getting better. Everyone in the Palace knew the King was dying. Hezekiah was a fighter and he was struggling to live.

Then unannounced, the Prophet Isaiah walks into his private bedchamber and gives him a word from the Lord.

It wasn’t well received by Hezekiah. He began to think of all that he had done in keeping Israel focused on walking in the ways of the Lord. He reminded God of all of his accomplishments and on the basis of that prayer, the Lord granted him fifteen more years of life.

As he was leaving, Isaiah barely got to the middle court of the Palace before God sent him back with another word.

2 Kings 20:5 Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.

2 Kings 20:6 And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.

Now with more years added to his life, he even fathered another son. His name was Manasseh. There is one phrase in a verse that describes his whole life. “He did evil in the sight of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 33:2

• His life was a series of abominations.
• He lived like the heathens in the nations around him.
• He copied their idolatry.
• He copied their lifestyles.
• He built altars to Baal.
• He offered some of his own children as burnt sacrifices.
• He made them pass through the fire.
• He used enchantments.
• He allowed witchcraft. – 2 Chron. 33:6
• He dealt with familiar spirits. 2 Chron. 33:6
• He put a carved idol in the Temple. – 2 Chron. 33:7
• He made Israel to sin worse than the heathen. 2 Chron. 33:9
• He killed Isaiah, the beloved prophet. History says he was sawn asunder.

Israel became exceedingly cursed because one man’s selfish prayer affected forever the lives of their whole nation.

If Hezekiah had submitted to the original will of the Lord. Manasseh would have never been born. Isaiah would have lived on. The nation of Israel would have no doubt continued on in the direction Hezekiah had led them.

We are often frustrated and disappointed that our prayers are not always answered. We know, or at least think we know, what we need the most. We are intent on telling God how to direct our lives and what wishes, wants and needs of ours He should supply.

Once God has made a decision about your future, please submit to Him. Your prayer then for your sense of personal fulfillment may not be the blessing you had hoped.

Hezekiah got what he prayed for. But, all of Judah and every Godly person suffered because of that one answered prayer.