Some Reasons for Answered Prayer II Kings 19 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO
Sometimes answered prayer is not about granting your petition as much as it is about fulfilling God’s desire. Here are some examples of answered prayer for God’s benefit:
He answers for his glory – 2 Ki 19:19 – Hezekiah prayed for deliverance from the Assyrians and God heard his prayer. The reason was not only to spare Jerusalem for Hezekiah’s sake but so that “all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the Lord God, even thou only,” [2 Ki 19:19-20]. In Ps 50:15 the Lord said, “Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
He answers for his sake – 1 Ki 19:34 – God said, “I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.” God saved them [2 Chr 32:22]. But he saved them for his sake, not theirs. In Rom 15:30-32 the prayers for Paul were for the Lord’s sake.
He answers for his purpose – 2 Ki 20:1-6 – Then Hezekiah prayed to be healed. And God heard his prayer and healed him. Hezekiah was a good king and believed God would defend Jerusalem [2 Ki 18:30]. It certainly made sense that GO d would want a king like Hezekiah to continue to rule over his people; he was a good king. Hannah prayed for a son [1 Sam 1:11] and the Lord answered. Hannah gave her son to the Lord as she had said [1 Sam 1:27-28]. Samuel was best judge Israel ever had.
But look what happened in 2 Chr 32:23-25. Hezekiah was magnified. In verse 25 his heart was lifted up after he prayed and was delivered and healed. In 2 Chr 32:31, God left him to try him. He had to humble himself in verse 26. And because of his pride (and Manasseh’s and Judah’s), the Lord said the he wouldn’t deliver them from Babylon [2 Ki 20:16-18]. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was God’s servant who destroyed their city. This is what can happen when you forget that answered prayer is often not about you, but rather about the Lord.
Conclusion: So, be careful when you pray to remember that your answers are also for the Lord’s glory, the Lord’s sake and the Lord’s purpose. Don’t ever let the act that God answers your prayers lift you up in pride.