When King Hezekiah became seriously ill, the prophet Isaiah was sent to him with a message: "Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live" (Isaiah 38:1). Hezekiah had been a great king. He broke down all the idols, removed all the other gods from the land, and brought in the proper sacrifices for the Lord. Now he was ill, and the nation was filled with the fog of fear, the haze of helplessness, and the war of despair.
After Hezekiah pleaded with God, Isaiah was sent to him again with a message (Isaiah 38:5-7). The Lord comforted Hezekiah and the nation of Israel by telling them they would see the king raised up in his beauty.
In the midst of strife and fear and struggle, the Lord spoke through Isaiah: "Israel is in serious trouble. Yet although she has had wrong foreign alliances, the king isn't going to die. He is going to live. Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty."
Be encouraged! Because one day, no matter what you are going through now, your eyes will see the King in His beauty-the One who was crushed for our sins, the One who wore a crown of thorns. Yes, we will behold the King in His beauty. And glory be to God, we will have a crown of glory!
