I walk slowly all my years.
Isaiah 38:15
God healed Hezekiah and added 15 years to his life. Now here’s the question: What use did he make of those 15 years?
Hezekiah was quite clear on what he would do: “I walk slowly [humbly] all my years” (38:15). “Lord, if you give me another 15 years I will walk before you in humility.” What would that look like?
A humble person seeks to glorify God
“The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day” (38:19). “Lord, no one in the pit of destruction praises you. But You have promised me life, and I believe your promise. So I praise you today, and I will live in gratitude every day you give me.”
A humble person seeks the good of others
“The father makes known to the children your faithfulness” (38:19). Hezekiah was not yet a father, but he believed that God would be faithful to His promise. He makes this commitment: “I will make sure my family knows that You are God and that Your faithfulness endures to all generations.”
Notice that this circle of praise keeps expanding. It starts with one man praising God. Then his family joins him. Then the entire community is drawn in. “The LORD will save me, and we will play my music… all the days of our lives, at the house of the LORD” (38:20).
This is a marvellous commitment: “Lord, if you answer my prayer, here’s what I will do: I will walk humbly, I will glorify you, I will seek the good of others.” That’s what he said. But what he did was very different!
If you have been facing a crisis, what will you do with your life when you get it back?
