When Bad Things Happen to Godly People

In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death.Isaiah 38:1We are looking at the story of a godly king. And yet of this man we read that he became sick and was near death.This was a painful affliction. And it happened at the worst possible time. The king and all of God’s people were suddenly plunged into an unexpected crisis.Anyone who has become sick knows that it changes everything. Perhaps you are going through cancer treatment or receiving kidney dialysis. Or maybe you are experiencing pain when you move because of an injury.Why would God allow a godly king to become sick? What will happen to the people if this king dies? “We need him! Lord, please don’t take him from us!” Perhaps you have felt that about someone you love.Then Hezekiah receives a pastoral visit. “Isaiah the prophet… said to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: Set your house in order, for you shall die, you shall not recover’” (38:1). Imagine the shock for this godly king. There was no doubt about this: Thus says the Lord!Spoiler alert! This story has a good ending. Hezekiah recovers and God gives him another 15 years of life. But the value of the story for us is that it takes us through the stages of Hezekiah’s crisis: shock, hope, anguish, faith, and gratitude.At some time in your life, you may find yourself in crisis. Or you may be facing the shock of a crisis right now. Suddenly, your life that seemed so sure and plannable seems vulnerable and uncertain.What will this crisis mean for your family? What will it mean for your job? What will it mean for your finances? How will you get through it? How long will it last?Are you facing a shock that has left you feeling vulnerable and uncertain about the future?