Isaiah 38:9-15 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

Health and sickness.

This touching psalm of Hezekiah, written in the day of returning strength, when mental effort became possible and perhaps enjoyable to him, may teach us many things.

I. THAT OUR HEALTH IS NOT IN OUR OWN HANDS . There is a distinct note of disappointment here. The king had evidently set his heart on a long life, and was hurt in his soul that his days were cut in twain. It seemed an abrupt, unnatural termination. He was deprived of that which he might have expected to enjoy ( Isaiah 38:10 , Isaiah 38:12 ). Though we know well it is not so, yet we harbour the thought that we can measure our days—can reckon on a large period of time in which to work out our plans; we are apt to be surprised and even hurt in our heart if our health be removed and our life be threatened. But we ought to learn that God is the length of our days ( Deuteronomy 30:20 ), and that it rests with him to say when our strength shall decline and when our spirit shall return.

II. THAT THE TIME MAY COME WHEN LIFE WILL BE WITHOUT VALUE TO US ; when we shall be ready to speak in the strain of the king ( Isaiah 38:14 , Isaiah 38:17 ). Instead of song is silence or complaint; for peace is bitterness of soul. Among the living, at any time, there will be found a large proportion of those to whom life is without any value, and who would gladly lay it down.

1 . Do we appreciate the value of our health while we have it?

2 . Are we laying up resources on which we can draw when the enjoyments of life will be gone, and the season of privation and infirmity has arrived?

III. THAT IT IS RIGHT TO ASK GOD FOR RESTORATION FROM SICKNESS . "O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me" (see 2 Corinthians 12:8 ; James 5:14 ). We should do so,

IV. THAT THE PERIOD OF CONVALESCENCE IS A TIME FOR THANKFULNESS AND CONSECRATION .

1 . Thankfulness. "Himself hath done it" ( Isaiah 38:15 ). Whatever the number or the nature of the measures we adopt ( Isaiah 38:21 ), we trace the happy issue ultimately to the hand of the Lord. All remedial agencies are of him.

2 . Consecration. "I shall go softly [reverently] all my years, [remembering] the bitterness of my soul." When God gives back his life to any one of his children, it is surely a time when that soul should form a profound and prayerful resolution that, if past days have been godless, future years shall be devout; that, whatever has been the measure of piety in the time that has been spent, there shall be deeper devotedness and more faithful service m the span that may remain.—C.