Monday, November 30, 2015

Proverbs 31...

Proverbs 31...

Proverbs 31:10-31 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm,all the days of her life. 
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
 She is like the merchant ships,bringing her food from afar. 
She gets up while it is still night;she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 
She considers a field and buys it;out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously;her arms are strong for her tasks. 
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 

This woman is a super woman...and she must be in her 20-40's with 
energy to spare...day and night..
She is industrious, giving, administering, godly, faithful, fearless, busy, noble, has good relations with her children and husband, wise, blessed, honorable, businesslike, praiseworthy ....wow...she exhibits the fruit of the spirit, the spiritual gifts....all rolled into one person...what a hard show to follow for most of us...a real type A personality it seems...

How do we, who are just regular people, ever come up to her high standards??? It seems the key lies in the words, " but a woman who fears the Lord "...that is the bottom line, "fearing the Lord " and then letting Him add what He wants in our lives...whether it be one task or many.....obedience to Him...

Thank YOU for this example, but help me, above all, be obedient to what You want in my life...not comparing myself to others, nor doing things that you have not added...let me "fear You, rightly"..
 

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Not resting .....

Not resting....

I found that I have been again not resting in God's unfailing, ever present, burden taking love...sleepless nights...tossing and turning...myriads of manmade solutions, concerns, decisions, how-tos, why's, have been keeping me awake or awakening me in the middle of the nights...

I lay them down at the foot at the cross only to gather each of them up again to wrestle again and again...not that I don't trust God to take care of them, I just feel powerless to do anything about them....and that is the point...I am powerless to do anything about each...only God has the power to work in any of these areas that are plaguing my mind and restlessness ...He alone can work in people's lives with miracles in their attitudes, life choices, etc...

Thank YOU that you remind me again and again through so many avenues that you really care, that you really can and do work out everything to your glory....that You alone are capable to handle every situation that comes into our lives...and those situations are filtered to help us grow in our trust in You...help me open my hands and heart again to your care....

Jesus calling...November 28
Rest in the deep assurance of My unfailing Love. Let your body, mind, and spirit relax in My Presence. Release into My care anything that is troubling you, so that you can focus your full attention on Me. Be awed by the vast dimensions of My Love for you: wider, longer, higher, and deeper than anything you know. Rejoice that this marvelous Love is yours forever!
The best response to this glorious gift is a life steeped in thankfulness. Every time you thank Me, you acknowledge that I am your Lord and Provider. This is the proper stance for a child of God: receiving with thanksgiving. Bring Me the sacrifice of gratitude, and watch to see how much I bless you.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
—1 Peter 5:7

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
—Ephesians 3:16–19

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
—Psalm 107:21–22

Friday, November 27, 2015

A thousand lives....

a thousand lives.....

I read a quote..".a man/woman who reads lives a thousand lives before he dies, a man/woman who never reads lives only one..."

Another quote, "so many books, so little time..."

I have loved reading for as long as I can remember...my grandparents read a lot, my parents read a lot...we didn't read as a family together, although I wish we had...my children read a lot and now my grandchildren read a lot..

We are all living those "thousand lives" vicariously through the eyes and words of many, many authors...but, each person is living full lives as well, not totally stuck in books, but writing lives of their own...

Besides that, they are reading the most popular book as well, the very Word of God...which speaks of many lives of various people...and the lessons they learned on their journey with the Creator...and are passing those lessons on down through the centuries to relate to modern day people...God working now as He has in all time...

Each morning my husband would read his Bible, and then read the Bible to our children either in "picture book" form or the regular Worded one...as I prepared breakfast....then we would read a family devotionals geared to children's level..., "the  magnificent machine", "keys for kids", "daily walk"...
The way God spaced our children, each had time alone to do this with their dad...and we had worn our picture Bibles to prove it...

Thank YOU for your word which richly inspires, teaches, admonishes our lives through the generations...

2 Timothy 3:15-17 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 


Colossians 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Thanksgiving blessing...

Thanksgiving Blessing....
 
As we live in a world of Black Fridays, cyber Mondays ,  red holiday decorations, Santa arrivals, sales, blowout prices, there is little mention of the real meaning Thanksgiving and Christmas...in some ways it has become a merchant's and consumer's dream...sell, sell, sell, buy, buy, buy...with advertisements beginning earlier every year... 

Where are the Pilgrims who sacrificed, the nativity in remembrance of Christ's birth ....they have been lost in shuffle of political correctness ...history rewritten to suit the times and not the truth... 

It was refreshing to hear the following short radio (radio?, what's that ) broadcast..

http://www.coolestone.com/media/13558/Red-Skelton's-Thanksgiving-Blessing-(1947)/#.VlcaL4g76K1

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 
pray continually, 
give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 

1 Corinthians 10:30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? 

Psalm 107:8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing loveand his wonderful deeds for mankind, 

Sometimes I feel like Jesus is going through my soul as He did in the temple, over throwing the money changers tables,...when I have gone the way of the world in leaving the the thanks out of Thanksgiving and the Christ out of Christmas... 

Matthew 21:12-13 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” 

Let my day, instead of focussing on the world view, help me focus on God's view..let me humble myself before Him, thanking Him for the riches He has bestowed on this country, the riches He has bestowed on me, not materially but making this vessel I live in a thankful blessing...let me be a "house of prayer" ...

2 Chronicles 7:14-16 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. 


Thank YOU, God for Yourself...


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Agreement...

Agreement....

"In His sovereign way, He has the right to take  them away or leave them right here. I need to be ready to agree with Him in either case." From Lori Wick, " The Proposal".

There are times that I don't agree with what God does...I know that may sound awful...but I want my way or the highway ....I want him to work in certain ways and He doesn't...it seems like it would be much simpler that way...having my way...the sin of pride goes deep in many of us ...

But when I stop and listen with my heart...I know that God's way is the best and I agree with Him even though I don't understand all the reasons...the whys, the how's, the everything...

The lessons learned from my wanting my way to turning to His way are deep cleaning of my attitudes..my pride, my hopes, my expectations ...my, my, my...replacing them with listening, learning, agreeing with the sovereign Creator of the universe ...the One who knows each of us before we were formed in our mother's womb...the One who has a path for us in life...the One who loves us beyond our finite list of words ...the One who desires our fellowship...our love...the One who gave His Son for us...the One who is preparing an eternal home for us...if we but agree that we need Him above all...and accept Him, rejoice in Him and His love for us...


Thank YOU above all ....help me agree with you in all my being...and listen to You....


1 Samuel 3:9-18 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 
And the Lord said to Samuel: “See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears about it tingle. 
At that time I will carry out against Eli everything I spoke against his family—from beginning to end. 
For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God, and he failed to restrain them. 
Therefore I swore to the house of Eli, ‘The guilt of Eli’s house will never be atoned for by sacrifice or offering.’” 
Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the Lord. He was afraid to tell Eli the vision, but Eli called him and said, “Samuel, my son.”Samuel answered, “Here I am.” “What was it he said to you?” 
Eli asked. “Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you.” So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. 
Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.” 

Sunday, November 22, 2015

"Old " music....

"Old" music...

Recently, I attended a concert of music from the 1960's-70's...music I grew up with...music that I heard as a preteen and teenager.....

We listened to music all the time, with my parents owning a music store...we sold the 45 double sided records, the 33 1//3 albums and the 78 records as well as the sheet music to the popular songs of the time...the "top ten" played regularly...they were played on the local radio stations and the school dances we attended.....a huge part of our everyday lives...we hummed the songs as we went about our lives, knew the words as we listened ....this was a long time before our present MP3 players, iPhones, androids, iPads, computers, DVDs, CDs ....

While the music concert was fun to listen to, it was hard as well...those were fun times...enjoying life, music, childhood, a good life, but time has passed and age is showing....now a half century later, one marriage, four children, nine grandchildren later....lives have changed, my life has changed...the love songs sang at the concert emphasized the aloneness of widowhood... I still knew the words, but the love of my life is gone ...and I am on to new horizons...

Over those same years, God has worked so much in my life...continually showing His love...replaced the old songs with new ones....added many more songs of life, love and His Word...working to grow more grace, care and service into my life...put new words into my thoughts, new praises in my 
lips with His psalms....to glorify Himself...with "new music"...

Thank YOU for the "old" music but thank You so much for the "new" songs You have put in my heart....

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. 

Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.Many will see and fear the Lord And put their trust in him. 

 Psalm 98:1 Sing to the Lord a new song,for he has done marvelous things;his right hand and his holy armhave worked salvation for him. 

Thursday, November 19, 2015

Pushing the chair....

Pushing the chair....

As I waited for a bus to take other passengers and myself back to our cruise ship, i was watching a group of "homeless" people across the street encamped under some low trees....one of them was in a wheel chair, the others were sitting around on the dirt or on rocks...finally one pushed the wheel chair bound one across the street to take up his place at a mall entrance...

"There, but by the grace of God, go I" my mind cried...but in realty I was a beggar as well, asking God for His gift of salvation....the Holy Spirit "pushed " me to God's entrance as well...I was standing outside the Mall, wanting entrance, wanting those gifts, goods inside...and God drew me in... And gave me the greatest gift of all, His Son...now wearing a robe of righteousness, I don't have to beg for tidbits from others, but have the God of the universe as my caregiver and Father...

Bringing others, helping them...those acts of kindness , serving one another, even in the little things like pushing a wheel chair is our privilege...whether they are poor or rich is a privilege so that they may come to that open Door which God holds open... 

Thank YOU for sending those friends who have helped me along the paths of life...

Psalm 22:26 The poor will eat and be satisfied;those who seek the Lord will praise him—may your hearts live forever! 

Psalm 34:6-7, 15 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;he saved him out of all his troubles. 
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,and he delivers them.
 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,and his ears are attentive to their cry; 

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Excursions ....

Excursions....

On tours from various trips, cruises, tours there are side excursions .  Some are chosen by the participants and others are added by the tour guide.  Some are added for enrichment to the basic tour while others add fun and games. And as tour participants , we may or may choose to do any or all of the excursions ...

Yesterday, a friend and I arrived one day early to catch our tour. So we chose to add our own side trip... With Map and information in hand, we set out to go to local holiday crafts fairs...
Calling a taxi, we gave him the address of the biggest craft fair..he couldn't find it and finally with meter running, we asked him to let us off at a huge swap meet instead ....this one was set in a former drive-in space. Amid tents, open trucks, blankets, we found personal care items to used clothing to mounds of fresh fruits and veggies or care parts...an Asian cultural experience...

Then asking a variety of locals, we made our walking way to another side excursion. It turned out to be another swap meet, " bugs in the Park" a huge show of old VW beetles and vans.  So spiffed up and shiny, they stood in rows  for inspections and admiration...
asking other locals , we boarded a bus which finally took us to our original destination...the craft fair...well worth the wait, it was all we hoped for. Booths and booths of hand made articles and commercial ones as well, Asian food, music, and fun amongst the local neighborhood of people...what an excursion!!!!
 
We didn't go directly to our destination, but found enrichment in the side trips...
We may plan our lives with goals and plans, But the "taxi driver"  may have another  route to our destination...adding enjoyment, cultural experience, sometimes pain which adds to our life...we may not like  the route  or we may love it...they all add something to our lives...

The side  trips may include surgery, death, a new acquaintance, culture, family members, a wrong turn, a bus ride, and even swap meets in the middle of a drive in or a car show...

The Israelites went to Egypt because of a famine, left Egypt to claim a new land, went to Babylon  for discipline, returned to their land year later...

Jesus' earthly father took them to Egypt to safeguard his family and brought them back to a new home when safety was assured..

Paul took numerous trips to preach the gospel to peoples along the way....

Stephen rode with the Ethiopian to explain the gospel and baptize him nearby...

So many "excursions", so many "side" trips...or are they really??? God ordained moments to teach us lessons of life or just to enjoy the journey ...

Thank YOU for excursions you have allowed or planned just for me in life...help me to be enriched by them no matter what they are...

Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. 

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Paths...

In the way of righteousness there is life;
along that path is immortality. Proverbs 12:28

A few paths...each leading to somewhere..
Through the gigantic cedars in the Cascades..
To a new country at Ellis Island..
A new adventure...
A new day...
A new trail...
Around the bend in the road...

None leading to immortality as God's gracious paths lead...
These are just gifts along His path for me...

That YOU for offering the way of righteousness to all who follow you...such a wonderful promising path...








Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Mr. Rogers ....

Mr Rogers ....


http://www.petzoid.com/mr-rogers-message/

I didn't grow up with Mr. Rogers, nor did my children...but millions did..
This was taken from a celebration of his life and well worth watching to the end...his message is clear...we have a responsibility to spread good, servanthood, care for one another ...a value that is priceless to those around us...but, alas, he was but a man...not God...


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Rogers

We have so many people we could emulate,  Jesus being our first and foremost ...with His Holy Spirit living in us and guiding if we listen and obey...
Jesus taught us servanthood by the way he served others, taught, lived,  ...just working our way through each of the Gospels gives us everyday examples..

We have seen the WWJD bracelets, signs, etc., reminding us of "what would Jesus Do"..that goes a long way, but am I listening to what the Spirit is telling me? Not just "doing good"..

Thank YOU for faithful servants...You, yourself being chief among them..
Hell us each to serve in places you have planted us..being faithful stewards...

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 

Proverbs 22:17-21 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;
apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 
So that your trust may be in the Lord,I teach you today, even you. 
Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? 

Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

Ephesians 6:7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Sayings....

Sayings...

These two quotes entered my world this week...from totally different sources. 

"One of the greater things of tragedy is the realization of what is really important...

An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. When life is dragging you back with difficulties,   It means that it is going to launch you at something great...so focus and keep aiming..."

There are books and books of quotes...ones on love, politics, success, life,...you name it and I am sure there is a quote or a book about it...Chinese proverbs, taking care of children sayings, living with teenagers/the elderly/parents of toddlers/menopause, etc., etc., etc....and even a few that quote the Bible correctly ....

The Book of Proverbs handles many of life's events with succinct profound quotes..many people read a chapter of Proverbs each day of the month, as there are 31 chapters of practical everyday advice and observations..covering money handling to Godly Women, adultery to discipline, foolish to wise...a worthy study of life around us in all generations...in all life circumstances...


Proverbs 1:1-7 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 
for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight; 
for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair; 
for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— let the wise listen and add to their learning,and let the discerning get guidance— 
for understanding proverbs and parables,the sayings and riddles of the wise. 

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

Thank YOU again for Your words...spoken through Solomon...help me to seek You and not the ways of the foolish...
For gaining wisdom, understanding, prudent behavior, doing what it right that I may fear You ...

Monday, November 9, 2015

Christmas is a gift...

Christmas is a gift...

The advertisements have started.... stores are being filled with Christmas merchandise, decorations...the Christmas movies have started...the media has started covering the various arguments which are taking place about the characterization of Christmas....Christians are being ridiculed for their beliefs...history is being rewritten...but the fact remains- there was a Christmas...there was a gift given to the World...
  
Gifting...a noun
1.
something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor toward someone,honor an occasion, or make a gesture of assistance; present.
2.
the act of giving
3.
something bestowed or acquired without any particular effort by the recipient or without its being earned:
It comes once a year.   It bring memories both wonderful and tragic...thoughts we delight in or desperately want to forget... But it still comes...Some associate  Christmas' past with loss or wonderful memories....
But, it comes...the gift that God so blessed the world with... It may have been a different time of the year...it wasn't tied in big bows, put under a tree, didn't come down the chimney, nor put in a stocking ...

The gift came through  a  young woman... in a dirty, animal stable...announced by heavenly Angels to shepherds...blessed by people who had awaited His arrival...protected by an obedient earthly father who listened to directions...worshiped by Kings...feared by political powers...reared by godly parents while growing in stature, filled with wisdom and grace from His Heavenly Father...

World leaders have denounced the Gift, martyred millions in His name, ridiculed, denied..but That Gift never dies, won't be denied, reigns in hearts and lives and is Victorious...

Jesus, Christ the Lord...the Gift above all gifts...the Hope of the World, Savior, a Promise, a Prince, " a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to ...Israel", a Redeemer....and soooooo much More....

Thank YOU God for giving us Your Son...the Ultimate Gift ...


John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 


Out of context but describes the emotion...2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 

James 1:17-18 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. 

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Assembly required...

assembly  required....

My two daughters and one of my daughters in law as well as myself have been to Ikea where we purchased various furniture pieces...desks, shelving, kitchen cabinets, storage units....and they all required assembling ....piece by piece....instruction by instruction...picture by picture...until the unit was competed and standing before us..completed...then each was placed where needed and put to use.

I was reading an illustration by Jennifer Dean in her Bible Study on prayer that illustrated that same building of a desk...our lives are slowly "assembled" through the years ...all the pieces are there...it just takes time to assemble...we even have the instructions through the Word, a Master builder who brings together all the right pieces to complete...and He promises to finish and put us to use....made useful wherever we are placed....

We may, while being assembled, think that there are some lost pieces or wrong instructions or mismatched parts, but the Builder knows how to assemble rightly...without error...He may add a few rubs to polish, a few knocks  with the tools, pushing and securing each part to make the whole...but the finished product is exactly as He planned..

We may be used frequently, infrequently, with much love and care, or put in dark places, seemingly forgotten but with specific purposes...or be in prominent view...or everyday, "taken-for -granted" use...

The Creator knows, plans, assembles well..He wrote the instructions...He has  a plan....He knows the nuts and bolts of life...Thank YOU...help me to be useful wherever You put me. 

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

1 Chronicles 28:20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished. 

Thursday, November 5, 2015

The letter .....

The letter.....

I have often thought about Hezekiah in the Old Testament in the book of 2 Kings, Isaiah and Jeremiah, he was facing an enemy and received his letter, denouncing him and the country that he ruled......

I have received news at various times over the years, lived in events that seemed so negative, fearful, scary...and pictured myself taking those events to God as Hezekiah did... Laying them out before God, desiring that God hear my pleas, open His eyes and see my plight...not that He didn't know already every thought that I already had...He knows everything...but just the act of bowing myself before His Holiness, Sovereignty...brought comfort..laying these things at His feet, for Him to take care of... Lifted the burden...

I have done it...many of the answers weren't what I had planned...but I knew, like Hezekiah that God heard my pleas..felt my tears, took my fears, listened...and even in the listening, I felt less stressed because I had shared it with Him...

Hezekiah did not do everything right in his reign, he was prideful, fearful, trusting of the wrong people...but His letter and his response to it stand out...he is found in the lineage of Christ...

Thank YOU that I can spread my letters out before You...You have a plan...You Listen...as You have over the millenniums...



2 Kings 19:14-16a, Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. 
Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen .....

2 Kings 19:20 Then Isaiah son of Amoz sent a message to Hezekiah: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I have heard your prayer concerning Sennacherib king of Assyria. 

Isaiah 37:14-17 Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: “Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. 
You have made heaven and earth. 
Give ear, Lord, and hear; open your eyes, Lord, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God. 

Jeremiah 26:19b "....... Did not Hezekiah fear the Lord and seek his favor? ....