I SHALL GO SOFTLY
“What shall I say? he hath both spoken unto me, and himself hath done it: I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.” Isaiah 38:15
Hezekiah was a truly outstanding king in Judah. He obeyed the Lord and removed many of the images of false worship from the land. It is said of him in II Kings 18:5, “He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.”
The Bible tells us how Hezekiah became sick unto death. He earnestly prayed to the Lord. God heard his prayer, and God mercifully promised to add fifteen, years to his life. How appreciative the king was for the gracious, transforming touch of God upon his life. Hezekiah’s thankful response to God’s goodness toward him included these words: “I shall go softly all my years in the bitterness of my soul.” Hezekiah knew that his life had been extended. The phrase “go softly” carries the idea that he would walk humbly and gratefully all of his life, remembering the bitterness of his sickness from which he had been delivered. Hezekiah was determined never to forget how fortunate and blessed he was. The awareness of what God had done for him would serve to keep him in the right frame of mind for the remainder of his days.
The way the Lord had blessed him would have an affect on the way he lived the rest of his life. Shouldn’t the same be true of each of us? God has been so good to us. He has provided salvation for us through the death of His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. No one ever cared for us the way our God cares for us. He has promised an eternal home in Heaven for each one who wholly turns to Christ and receives the gift of eternal life. He has placed us in a New Testament church where the Word of God is preached. God has made it possible for us to own a copy of the precious Word of God. He has placed His Holy Spirit within us at the time of our new birth, and has promised never to leave us. God has not added a mere fifteen years to our lives; He has added abundant and eternal life to our existence.
May we never get over God’s goodness. The awareness of what He has done for us should affect the way we live. Our attitude along this journey of life should reflect how we have been touched and transformed by the gracious hand of the Almighty.