Isaiah 38:5
All Things Together for Good ·
A Message Has Arrived for You
These are God's promises for you today:
"I have heard your prayer"
"I have seen your tears"
"Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you"
Have you ever wondered if God hears your prayers and sees your tears?
Here is what God wants you to know. God sees you and understands what you are going through. When King Hezekiah heard from the prophet Isaiah that he would not recover from his illness, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord. Before Isaiah left the palace, God responded, "I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life."
Just as God heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears, He hears you and sees you today.
So always remember this:
God hears your prayers.
God sees your tears.
God responds to those who turn to Him.
Deep Dive
The Story Behind The Verse: The God Who Hears and Sees
King Hezekiah was one of the faithful kings in the history of Judah. He trusted the Lord with his whole heart and led the people of Judah back to true worship of God. When the Assyrian army of 185,000 soldiers surrounded Jerusalem, he witnessed God deliver the city.
Then, after this great deliverance, Hezekiah became ill. The prophet Isaiah came to him with a message from God, "Set your house in order, for you will die, and not live" (Isaiah 38:1).
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed. He reminded God of how he had walked faithfully before Him, and he wept bitterly. His prayer was the earnest cry of a man pouring out his heart before God.
Before Isaiah had even crossed the middle courtyard of the palace, God spoke again. He told Isaiah to go back and deliver a new message, "I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will add fifteen years to your life." God responded to Hezekiah's prayer.
The same God who heard an earnest prayer and added fifteen years to Hezekiah's life is your God today. He hears your prayers. He sees your tears. He will respond in His timing and way.
What It Means
"I have heard your prayer" (שָׁמַעְתִּי אֶת־תְּפִלָּתֶךָ / shamati et-tefillatekha)
Shama means to hear in a way that leads to a response. When God says He has heard your prayer, He has truly received it and will respond in His way and timing.
"I have seen your tears" (רָאִיתִי אֶת־דִּמְעָתֶךָ / ra'iti et-dim'atekha)
Ra'ah means to see, to observe carefully, and to pay close attention. God does not just notice your tears but remembers them. Psalm 56:8 says God puts our tears in His bottle. Every tear matters to Him.
"Behold, I will add fifteen years" (הִנְנִי יוֹסֵף עַל־יָמֶיךָ חֲמֵשׁ עֶשְׂרֵה שָׁנָה / hineni yosef al-yamekha khamesh esreh shanah)
Hineni means "Behold, here I am." God is declaring that He is fully present and ready to act. Yosef means to add or to increase. God gave Hezekiah fifteen additional years of life.
Claim This Promise
I declare that the words of Isaiah 38:5 are true in my life.
- • God hears my prayers.
- • God sees my tears.
- • God responds to those who earnestly seek Him.
Today's Prayer
God,
Today, I receive the words You spoke to Hezekiah, "I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears." Thank You for seeing me and hearing me with intent to respond.
Remind me that You are the God who responded to Hezekiah and extended his life. When my prayers have not yet been answered, may I keep coming to You in prayer until You answer.
Give me wisdom to understand Your answer to my prayers. Sometimes You answer by changing my circumstances or my relationships. Sometimes You answer by renewing my mind and heart. Sometimes, You do not give a clear answer, and that itself is an answer.
You keep a record of my prayers, and I trust that You will respond in Your good timing and way.
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Share This Message
Do you know someone who wonders if God hears their prayers?
Share this with them and say, "God hears your prayers and knows what you are going through." Your simple act of sharing could remind them that they matter to God.