“Behold, I will bring again the shadow of the degrees,
which is gone down in the sun dial of Ahaz, ten degrees backward.”
(Isaiah 38:8)
Isaiah 38 recounts a miracle involving Ahaz’s sundial when the Lord caused the shadow to move backward—a thing contrary to the ordinary course of nature—to confirm His word and magnify His power. But this miracle is also a fitting picture of the greater spiritual miracle God performs in sanctification. For when grace turns the soul from sin to holiness, it works a change no less astonishing than the reversal of the sun’s shadow.
By nature, the human heart progressively moves away from God. Our natural affections gravitate toward sin, self-love, and rebellion as consistently as a stone falls downward. Therefore if the soul is ever turned back from sin unto righteousness, it is not by human strength or moral effort but by supernatural grace.
Indeed, external reform cannot cure the heart. A man may be able to improve his outward behaviors, but he cannot effect his own inward corruption toward holiness. Only the sanctifying work of the Spirit can transform our inward affections, completely changing what we love, hate, and delight in.
Such grace is truly miraculous because no man can turn his own heart from sin and self-love to God apart from divine power. So the soul that truly changes does so because God has intervened.
And since sanctifying grace comes from God alone, it must be sought from Him continually. We remain dependent every hour upon fresh influences of the Spirit. If prayer ceases, watchfulness fades; if communion with God is neglected, spiritual strength declines. The battle against corruption is continual, and therefore dependence upon God must be continual also.[1]
Let us then pray for the same God who turned back the shadow on Ahaz’s sundial to turn back our hearts—to reverse sinful affections, weaken corruption, and increase holiness by His mighty power.
Contemplations:
- Supplication for Inward Renewal Rather Than Outward Reform. Lord, I am not asking for restraint from outward sin only but for inward transformation of my heart. Do not let me be content with external decency while corruption remains within. Strike at the root of sin in me. Purify my affections, reform my desires, and make me holy in Your sight.
- Supplication for Divine Power Against Deep Corruption. Father, I confess that some sins seem deeply rooted in my soul. I cannot overcome them by my own efforts. Therefore I plead for Your mighty power to subdue what I cannot conquer. Do in my heart what only omnipotent grace can do.
- Supplication for Continual Supplies of Grace. Lord, teach me continual dependence on You. Let me never suppose that yesterday’s grace is sufficient for today’s battle. Strengthen me to resist temptation, quicken me in duty, and sustain me in every spiritual conflict.
- Supplication for Watchfulness and Prayer. Father, make me diligent in prayer and watchful over my soul. Keep me from spiritual carelessness, from neglecting communion with You, and from trusting in my own strength. Let me live near to You, knowing that apart from Christ I can do nothing.
Prayer (Supplication)
Holy and gracious God, I come before You confessing my utter inability to sanctify myself. My heart by nature runs toward sin, so unless You work in me by Your Spirit, I shall never be made holy as I ought.
Therefore I plead for sanctifying grace. As You once caused the shadow upon Ahaz’s dial to move backward contrary to nature, so cause my heart to turn backward from sin contrary to its fallen bent. Reverse the course of my corrupt affections. Turn my desires away from vanity and toward holiness.
Lord, I confess that I am weak and unable to stand in my own strength. So I need You to strengthen my inward man by Your Spirit and supply fresh grace for every conflict.
Teach me to live in continual dependence upon You. Keep me diligent in prayer, watchful against temptation, and humble in the knowledge of my weakness so I rely wholly upon Your power.
Accomplish in me that miraculous work which only You can do, and let all the glory be Yours alone.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Further Scripture References for Isa. 38:8:
Joshua 10:12; 2 Kings 20:10; Isa. 7:12; Deut. 32:39
[1] William Bates, The Whole Works of the Rev. William Bates, ed. W. Farmer, vol. 2 (Harrisonburg, VA: Sprinkle Publications, 1990), 129-131.
