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 in  order,  for  that  he  must  die. The king,  terrified  at  the  thought of death,  turned  his  face  towards  the  Temple,  and  prayed  with tears that  God  might  prolong  his  life. God heard  his  prayer, and sent  the  prophet  again  to  tell  him  that  fifteen  years  should be added  to  his  life. And so  it  came  to  pass;  and  at  the  end  of the  fifteen  years  he  died,  after  a happy  and  prosperous  reign,  the reward of  his  fidelity  to  God.

The Justice  of  God.  The  holy  king  Ezechias  was  blessed  by God,  and  saved  from  a great  danger  in  the  most  wonderful  way. On the other  hand,  the  pride  of  Ozias  was  punished  by  a life-long  illness; and all  the  other  kings  of  Juda  who  were  unfaithful  to  God  were punished by  Him  in  different  ways.

In the  hour  of  danger  we  ought  to  do  as  the  pious  king  Ezechias did. He took  every  possible  human  precaution  to  defend  Jerusalem, and then,  full  of  confidence,  humbly  asked  God’s  protection. In the hour of  need  we,  in  the  same  way,  ought  to  do  all  we  can  ourselves, though we  must  not  depend  on  our  own  efforts  for  success,  but  humbly pray to  God  for  help  and  deliverance. “Our help  cometh  from  the  Lord!”

The power  of  prayer. The  marvellous  help  which  was  sent  to Ezechias  ought  to  prove  to  us  the  power  and  efficacy  of  fervent  prayer.

Have you  always  prayed  with  confidence? Very likely you  have  prayed  for  many  things,  and  have  not  received them because  you  lacked  confidence. Have more  faith,  for  the future, when  you  pray,  especially  in  times  of  trouble  and  spiritual need; and  then  you  will  certainly  be  heard.

FTER a brief  season  of  repentance  and  of  penance,  the people of  Juda  again  forgot  the  Lord. Then God,  in  His anger, sent  them  a new  and  terrible  punishment,  which  would have ended  in  the  total  destruction  of  their  nation,  had  it  not been for  the  heroic  courage  of  a certain  holy  woman. At that