A Heart Cry: The Sincerity of Hezekiah
"I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore." - 2 Kings 20:3

In 2 Kings 20:3, we find an intimate moment between King Hezekiah and the Almighty God, illustrating the deep connection forged through faith and heartfelt supplication: "I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore." This verse invites us to explore the profound themes of sincerity, vulnerability, and the weight of our actions in the sight of God, accenting the relationship that we nurture through our spiritual walk.
At the heart of Hezekiah’s plea is his desperate cry for divine remembrance. The phrase "I beseech thee" conveys more than just a request; it speaks to a total surrender and appeal rooted in humility. When faced with imminent death, Hezekiah turns to God not with arrogance or entitlement, but with an earnest heart that is visibly broken, shown by his tears—"And Hezekiah wept sore." This moment encapsulates a powerful truth: our heartfelt cries to God, stemming from a life lived in faithfulness, are never in vain.
Hezekiah's appeal to God's memory raises significant reflections regarding our own lives. To say "remember now" indicates a request for divine recognition of one’s faithfulness. It suggests that our past movements in grace and integrity must be acknowledged in times of distress. As Christians, this serves as an urgent call to evaluate how we walk before God. Hezekiah references two key elements of this walk: walking in truth and having a perfect heart. Truth is foundational in forging a relationship with God. In John 4:24, we are reminded that "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." To live in truth means to align our actions, decisions, and thoughts with God's moral fabric, which He has laid out for us in His word.
The phrase "with a perfect heart" can often feel daunting. Perfection, in one sense, is unattainable as none can claim absolute perfection except Christ. Yet, in the context of Hezekiah's life, it implies sincerity, integrity, and an undivided devotion to God. It denotes a heart that strives to be blameless—not in the absence of failure, but in the willingness to repent and return to God. 1 John 1:9 reassures us that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us. It suggests that perfection in heart is not about being flawless but about facing ourselves honestly before God and submitting to His will.
Hezekiah also proclaims, "and have done that which is good in thy sight." This acknowledgment serves to underscore that living for God's glory and in accordance with His will is paramount to our spiritual journey. Each act of kindness, charity, and devotion is noted by our Heavenly Father. It is not merely our intent but our actions that reveal our faith. James 2:17 says, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." The connection we see here is clear: what flows from a perfect heart is the outworking of faith through good deeds.
As we meditate on this verse, we are encouraged to approach God with sincerity—to remember that our relationship with Him is built on faith, truth, and a heart that aims to please Him. In times of crisis, we can earnestly approach the throne of grace, trusting that God hears our pleas. Like Hezekiah, when we cry out in desperation, we can find assurance in the living God who sees our hearts, knows our circumstances, and responds to those sincere cries.
Ultimately, as we contemplate our lives, let us strive to walk before the Lord with a perfect heart, engage in truth, and diligently do good works, knowing that our God remembers!
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2 Kings 20:3 - "I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore."
"I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore." - 2 Kings 20:3
2 Kings 3:20 - "And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water."
1 Kings 20:3 - "Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine."
2 Kings 20:20 - "¶ And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 20:2 - "Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying,"
"Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy children, even the goodliest, are mine." - 1 Kings 20:3
2 Kings 2:20 - "And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him."
2 Kings 20:16 - "And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD."
2 Kings 10:20 - "And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it."
2 Kings 3:15
2 Kings 3:15
2 Kings 3:15
2 Kings 25:20 - "And Nebuzar-adan captain of the guard took these, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah:"
2 Kings 14:20 - "And they brought him on horses: and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David."
2 Kings 20:21 - "And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 21:20 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did."
2 Kings 13:20 - "¶ And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year."
2 Kings 20:7 - "And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered."
2 Kings 11:20 - "And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet: and they slew Athaliah with the sword beside the king's house."
2 Kings 3:16-19
"And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water." - 2 Kings 3:20
2 Kings 3:10 - "And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!"
2 Kings 8:20 - "¶ In his days Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah, and made a king over themselves."
2 Kings 3:23 - "And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil."
2 Kings 7:20 - "And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died."
1 Kings 20:2 - "And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said unto him, Thus saith Ben-hadad,"
2 Kings 20:4 - "And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying,"
2 Kings 12:20 - "And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla."
2 Kings 3:3 - "Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom."