S – ³ He said, “Please, Lord, remember how I have walked before you faithfully and wholeheartedly, and have done what pleases you.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 

⁴ Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: ⁵ “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord God of your ancestor David says: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I am going to add fifteen years to your life.

Isaiah 38:3–5 CSB

O – Commentary:

Hezekiah’s prayer does not explicitly state a request to live longer, but it is implied. Many have criticized Hezekiah for this request. However, self-preservation characterizes nearly everyone. Hezekiah asked the Lord to remember the good things he had done as king (cf. 2 Kings 18:5–8).

(3) God’s answer to Hezekiah.

38:4–6. In response to the king’s prayer God said through Isaiah that He would grant the king 15 more years. Since Hezekiah died in 686 b.c. this illness would have been in 701 (see the chart “Kings of Judah and Israel and the Preexilic Prophets,” near 1 Kings 12:25–33). In addition, God would not allow the Assyrians to take Jerusalem. These facts would have been a great comfort to Hezekiah.

 John A. Martin, “Isaiah,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 1089.

A – What an amazing answer to Hezekiah’s request!  It is a mystery why God answered this request and not the millions of others who have asked for more time.  Foundationally, his faithfulness and obedience coupled with God hearing and seeing him.  No matter what we face, as we approach God the same way, we have the opportunity for God to do the impossible.

R – Heavenly Father, you are all powerful and have no limitations.  We lay all of our desires and dreams down at your feet and surrender them to you.  We invite you to do the impossible and show your unlimited power in each of these.