Arizona republican., 1904-03-28

peSdil to CeScend 10 the west, the Shad- ow would creep down the eastern steps and the steps were so measured that | each marked a certain degree of time This dial must have been in full view from the kings bed. Perhaps, as he | lay with his face to the wall, he had looked out of the window and as he saw the shadow creeping slowly along. ke knew that every step brought him that much nearer to the dread hour. If only the flight of time could be staid and the hour postponed for years, Isaiah looked out of the window and saw the dial too. A thought divinely | suggested came to him, and, turning to the king. he said: This sign shall tn II have of the Lord that the Lord will do the thing that He hath spoken. Shall the shadow go forward ten degrees or go back ten degrees O. Hezekiah star ed. Go forward ten degrees! No;. that ! is exactly what he doesn't wish. That would mean the hurrying on to the end. But if it could go back ten degreesi It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees. The passage of time would bring that about. Heza- kiah desires the arrest Of times flight.
  | crees, that will be a token that will give Hezektnh hope. And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord and He brought the shadow ten degrees back ward" And so HeZekiah got his if teen years mere of life.
 This turning back of the shadow of the sundial was what we call a miracle. It is useless 10 stop to explain IL. for it is of the very nature of a miracle that it cannot be explained A mir acle is always impossible from tn human point of view. But the fact that it was a miracle has for us a les- son. Gods power is beyond our com Drehension. We should believe in it. We cannot understand it He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" If that be true. He is able to d5 much mere for us than He did for Hezekiah In this wondrOUs miracle. We limit God by our narrow conception of His power The Bible teaches only two limitations of Gods power-His own moral law and the free will of man God can do no wrong, nor can he destroy the free will of men. But everything else can God do, whether we Understand how or not. He can do TO wrong but He can make all things, even wrong things. to work together for good. He cannot deny the free will of men. but by his everlasting providence, He makes even the wrath of men to praise Him."
 The turning back Of the shadow was a token to HeZekiah that his prayer Nr~el . TFg,-- our comprehension, but that of which 1t was the token is just as much perhaps more-beyond our comprehen- sion. How can God answer prayer? l don't know. You don't know. No one knows. We believe that He can only because we Know He does How can He change His wisely considered plans at the desire of men without throwing the whole universe out of bal ance? How could He change His plans for Hezekiah, giving him fifteen years more of life, which made neces- sary an entirely new programme for the Kingdom, for in those fifteen years Hezekiah's son, Manassah. was born, who afterwards succeeded to the throne, and in his reign the whole course of the kingdom was changed? Gods power is too wonderful for me. l can only believe in il. I believe that God can and does modify His plans with all their far req ching conse- quences in a moment at the solicitation of His children, and the universe goes on without ripple of disturbance. know that "all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, we shall receive" So be still, Oh, doubtiny heart. Learn to pray In faith-oven to expect the impossible when you are dealing with God.
 What faith must have been Isaiah's to suggest such a token and to cry unto the Lord for it. Such faith be- longs only to one who is in constant touch with God and familiar with His ways and power. Isaiah was in su h close touch with God tfat God could use him as His mouthpiece, and hence Isaiahs faith. "If ye abide in me. and my words abide in you, ye shan ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you" We limit God when we limit our faith end annul the power of our prayers by living so far away from Him.
 Gods wondrouS DC yer was exercised simply to bring comfort and courage to the heart of a poor. sick man. This miracle accomplished only that. God could have answered Hezekiah's prayer for life without any visible miracle, but Hezekiah was weak and hopeless. He wished a token. Foolish man. Could he not believe God without a token? Could he not wait the three days, by which ,time Isaiah had promised that he would be well' But God did not even rebuke -1eZekiah for his weak ness. "He knoweth our frame" and He gave Hezekiah a token that seemed to require the very turning back of the flight of time. Gods greatest power is the servant of His love. God finds a sufficient field for the exercise of Hi 5 power in giving comfort, courage and strength to His fearful and weak chi.-