Isaiah 38:14

A CRY FOR HELP

Isaiah 38:14. 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 been 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 distress 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, ever 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 to heaven, and to assign us our place in it.—Horace Monod.

THE SURETYSHIP OF CHRIST

Isaiah 38:14. Undertake for me.

I. That man needs a surety. This is evident from several considerations. Man—

1. Is an insolvent debtor;

2. a captive;

3. a criminal;

4. helpless and mortal.

II. That a surety has been provided (Hebrews 7:22; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 12:24). Christ was constituted a surety; not for God to us, but for us to God. He undertook to do for us, and in us, what we could not do for ourselves. Is man a debtor? Christ has paid the debt. Is man a captive? Christ came to set the captive free. Is man a criminal? Christ has endured the curse (Isaiah 53:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Is man helpless and mortal? Christ has provided everlasting strength (2 Corinthians 12:9).

III. That there must be a believing application made to that Surety. We must put in claim for share in the suretyship of Christ—must say in faith, “Lord, undertake for me; be surety for me.”

IV. The effects of such application. These are many and most important. In case of Hezekiah several are mentioned. God had sent him an alarming message. He wept and called upon God. His prayer was answered. A sign was given. During his sickness and after his recovery he had great exercises of soul He thought of death (Isaiah 38:10); was annoyed because he was about to be cut off from the worship of God (Isaiah 38:11), and that by a premature death (Isaiah 38:12). But was there not a remedy? Yes. What? A believing application to the Lord as surety. “O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake for me.” And what was the consequence? The whole tone of his thoughts was changed. He now recognises God’s hand in the dispensation (Isaiah 38:15); sees these things to be good for his soul (Isaiah 38:16); believes his recovery certain—realises the forgiveness of sin—is enabled to praise God (Isaiah 38:19); can now resolve to teach his children about God’s truth, and determine with them to bless and magnify God for ever (Isaiah 38:19). Thus the realisation of God as surety, and a believing application to Him for help, proved the turning-point for good in Hezekiah’s experience.

APPLICATION.—

1. In the way of warning.

(1.) Not to depend on ourselves for salvation.
(2.) Not to neglect the means of grace.
2. In the way of encouragement.

(1.) Jesus Christ is surety for all who believe in Him.
(2.) All who are oppressed in body or soul may and should, by God’s grace, believe in Jesus as their surety.—T. Oliver: The Study and the Pulpit, New Series, 1876, pp. 419–421.