Friends, life is a God-given gift to mankind for the purpose of enjoyment. Everyone longs for a good life where they can enjoy the abundance of God. But I say to you – this good life does not come to us on a silver platter. It comes with challenges and hurdles to scale, taking us from one challenge to another, and that is what makes it truly exciting and worth living. Many people who have suffered dark valley experiences are today celebrating on the mountain top. Many who were once fearful of dying are now enjoying the good life as though nothing bad had ever touched them. Those who were once down and out, as well as rejected by society, are now celebrities. Your case is no different, because: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (I Cor. 10:13 KJV).

I pray that every Word of God in this article becomes alive and as medicine to your soul. My hope is that everything you are going through will rise to the surface as you meditate on this message. So, please, permit me to inform you by God’s Spirit, that you are closer to your breakthrough than you can imagine. What you lack today can be your abundance tomorrow. By God’s grace you can receive what you lack from Him. Why? “This present suffering is so light compared to the weight of glory coming upon your life.”

A powerful testimony is awaiting you. If you will only agree with me according to God’s word: “this sickness is not unto death…” (Jn. 11:4). Sickness, though a messenger of death and no respecter of persons, must bow to God’s covenant principles of healing that will keep you strong and alive!

Hear this: “in those days was Hezekiah sick unto death…” (Isa. 38:1). According to this biblical account, Hezekiah, a king, could afford the best of medical doctors and medications available. However, all that failed! Being a godly king, he cried to God, but in response to his prayer he received shocking news from a renowned prophet of God – the Prophet Isaiah. Speaking for God, Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “set thine house in order: for thou shall die, and not live.”

It’s easy to reject the untruthful words of a false prophet, but not so the words from a genuine prophet, like Isaiah. Nevertheless, Hezekiah, full of desperation to live, went back to God in prayer and said, “Remember now…” Remember what?

Hezekiah called on God to remember His covenant of life for those who fear Him. He reminded God of His promise, as declared by the psalmist, “I shall not die; but live…” (Ps. 118:17 KJV). So, we do not need to fret over messages of death, whether through a false or genuine prophet. If Hezekiah could turn his death sentence into an extra fifteen years of life, you too can do the same, because everyone is important to God. All you need to do is to remind God of His covenant of blessing concerning your area of need. Plead your case with God.  He has promised to vindicate you (cf. Isa. 43:26).

Remind God of His covenant of life over death; His covenant of health over sickness; prosperity above poverty; abundance in place of lack and, fruitfulness in place of barrenness. God will hear you and will bring deliverance your way. Just as God heard Hezekiah’s plea and added fifteen years of sound health to him, He will likewise meet your need. However, you must choose to take serious note of the following and act accordingly:

#1: You must desire a good life: Friends, be it known that our desire for a good life is not wrong but well appreciated and respected by God. A good life is ours to the degree of our desire. What we give to life is what life will give back to us. We should desire it as we desire breath for our bodies. May your desire for a good life be strong from this moment on! As long as your heart’s desire is within His will for you, He will not withhold any good thing. Long life, satisfaction, peace, and joy are all God`s plan and will for you… “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart”(Ps. 37:4 KJV)

#2: You must be desperate for it: By desperate, I mean holy restlessness in prayer. You may not get there until you are desperate enough. Until Hannah became desperate for a child, she never received her Samuel. As for Esau, he was told, “You will serve your brother but when you grow restless you will throw off his yoke from your neck” (Gen. 27: 40 NIV). A yoke of bondage can never be broken until we get to the place of restlessness or desperation in our prayers to God. I believe that Hezekiah was desperate enough to live… he received an extra 15 years of life. What about you?

#3: You must be born again: Many do not like this subject, but it is the truth and the beginning of a lifetime of satisfaction in Christ Jesus. We cannot ignore this truth. We are nothing in this world without Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. It is a personal decision each of us must make now before it is too late. We do not have eternity to make this very important decision. Jesus Christ must dwell in your heart by His Word and His Holy Spirit, without which you cannot access His throne of mercy. You must be born into God`s family to appropriate God`s promises and covenants for your life. God`s covenant of righteousness, peace and joy only operates among members of His family… “It is not right to take the children`s bread and to cast it to the dogs” (Matt. 15:26).

I welcome you into your God-given inheritance as you acknowledge Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You must allow His words and Spirit to indwell you from now on.  May our Lord God hear and honour you when you call upon Him. May God turn your present anguish into joy and may your days of captivity be over in His name. May you become a “King Hezekiah” of your days as you turn your breakdown experiences into breakthroughs!

Shalom… Shalom!
Pastor Sam
www.assurancepentecostal.org.ng