Nehase 4 — August 10

King Hezekiah, Who Trusted God

Long ago there was a good king named Hezekiah (say it: hez-eh-KY-uh). He came from the family of King David. Most of the kings before him had prayed to idols, little statues that are not really God. But Hezekiah loved the one true God. He broke the idols and tore down their altars, so the people would worship God alone. Because Hezekiah did what was right, God was very pleased with him.

One day a powerful king named Sennacherib (say it: sen-NAK-er-ib) marched his huge army to the city of Jerusalem to scare everyone. He even said rude things about God, boasting, "God cannot save you from me!" Hezekiah was frightened. But instead of giving up, he went into God's house and prayed. He told God exactly what the proud king had said, and asked God for help. He also asked Isaiah, a prophet who shared God's messages with the people, to pray for him too.

Isaiah brought back good news from God: "Be brave and do not be afraid." That very night God sent His angel Michael, and the great army that had come to hurt the city was sent away, all at once. Jerusalem was safe! Sennacherib ran home, and Hezekiah thanked God with all his heart.

Later, when Hezekiah grew very sick, he prayed again, and God kindly gave him fifteen more years of life. God even made the shadow on the sundial go backward as a special sign. Hezekiah lived happily, ruling his people in peace, and the song of thanks he sang to God is still in the Bible today.

Be of good courage and fear not, for God is about to do a wonderful thing.— the prophet Isaiah

You alone are the Lord God, the One who takes care of the whole world.— King Hezekiah's prayer

David, His Brothers, and Philip

We also remember some brave friends of God named David, his brothers, and Philip. They lived in a town called Sengar in the north of Egypt.

These friends loved Jesus so much that they would never stop following Him, no matter what. Some people tried to make them give up their faith. But they stayed faithful to God right to the end, and they gave their lives rather than turn away from Him. They were not afraid, because they knew God was waiting to welcome them home to heaven. We remember them with thanks for being so brave and loving God so much.

Abba Matthew, the Quiet Helper

Abba Matthew was a holy man who lived all alone in the desert to pray. People who live alone with God like that are called hermits. He wore rough clothes made of hair, and he was as gentle as a little lamb.

Even though he lived far away in the quiet desert, Abba Matthew still helped people. He taught a man named Marmehnam how to know and love Jesus. And there was a person named Sara who was very sick with a skin sickness called leprosy. Abba Matthew prayed, and God made Sara all better and clean again. Abba Matthew showed us that when we love God and pray, God can do beautiful things to help others.