xxxviii. 14. _O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me._
This prayer ascended from a sick-bed. State Hezekiah's circumstances.
From many sick-beds it still ascends. 1. From the sick-bed of the
Christian who is distressed by thoughts of what may befall his wife
and children after his removal from them. 2. From the sick-bed of the
Christian who perceives that the world has been gaining much on his
heart. Overtaken in the very strength and flower of his days by a
sudden and dangerous illness, he sees that in the midst of the bustle
and business of an honest calling he has gradually drawn off from a
life of watchfulness and prayer, and that, while keeping the forms of
godliness, he has lost much of its power. Death apparently at hand,
his soul starts up alarmed. 3. From the sick-bed of the worldly man,
who at length perceives his guilt and danger. His awakened conscience
fills him with darkness and fear (H. E. I. 1334-1339), and the
approach of death terrifies him (H. E. I. 1567).
Show how graciously God deals with all these suppliants when they
sincerely call upon Him.--_Richard Monks: Sermons,_ pp. 230-249.
A good prayer:--1. _For the young man entering upon the duties of
life._ Surrounded by the snares of the world, exposed to many
temptations, and having in himself no strength or wisdom to deal with
them aright. 2. _For the young man entering upon his Christian
course._ Experimentally sensible of the deceitfulness of the heart,
and conscious that there is one ever watchful, every willing to
encourage him in evil (H. E. I. 1061). 3. _For the Christian
perplexed in the path of duty._ 4. _For the Christian on his dying
bed_ (H. E. I. 1570-1593).--_H. Montagu Villiers, M.A.: Sermons,_ pp.
194-211.
Hezekiah's prayer reminds us of _man's need of a Divine Helper._ We
need some one who can undertake to be our guide through life; to
sustain us under the sorrows of life; to strengthen us against the
temptations of life; to effect reconciliation between us and a justly
offended God; to succour us in death; to welcome us in heaven, and to
assign us our place in it.--_Horace Monod._