He never saw it coming!

This righteous king for God was given a second chance. He led God’s people back to doing the will of God. He saw God in action as him and the Israelites were protected by God against the Assyrians.

I’m referring to King Hezekiah.

He was a man of prayer, 2 Chronicles 32:20. He was a man of faith.

He was also a man who was about to die. Yet he would pray to God again, Isaiah 38:1-2.

“In those days Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’ Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD…” 

God would answer his prayer and grant him 15 additional years of LIFE. Amazing! He was given a second chance. Here’s where the story gets interesting. There was a king of another nation who heard about his sickness and recovery. His name was Merodach-baladan, king of Babylon. He sent Hezekiah a letter and a present. Oh, how thoughtful, right?

Then Hezekiah pleased with this kind gesture did something for them. This is where his mistake came.

“Hezekiah was pleased, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver and the gold and the spices and the precious oil and his whole armory and all that was found in his treasuries. There was nothing in his house nor in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.”

Well, what was the big deal with doing that? That seems pretty harmless right? God knows the heart of men. Back in 2 Chronicles 32, we are given the answer.

“But Hezekiah gave no return for the benefit he received, because his heart was proud; therefore wrath came on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. 

After the wonderful benefit Hezekiah received (15 additional years of life), there was still the problem of PRIDE. It had crept in his heart.

God is able to humble those who walk in pride. He humbled Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4. Pride is so tricky isn’t it?

Who would have thought something as innocent as showing people from another nation (who would one day take Israel into captivity) would be so bad?

But it was. This story makes me think about social media. It can be so easy to allow pride to creep in our hearts, with what we show. It could be our homes, our vacations, our bodies, and even our children. What can appear so innocent to most, may actually be a hidden case of pride. God knows our hearts. We need to take time to also consider our hearts. Maybe it’s good we ask ourselves questions about why we sometimes feel the need to show certain things. Are we motivated by pride? Pride can be so subtle can’t it? No doubt Hezekiah was thrilled with another chance of life. But if he was overcome with pride, even after a near death experience, the same can happen to ME and YOU.

  1. Let us remember the BENEFITS we have received from God. Let us be rejoice in the blessings we have.
  2. Let us put the SPOTLIGHT on God, and not on ourselves.
  3. Let us LEARN and LIVE from men like Hezekiah.

Father in Heaven, 

Thank you for being so loving, kind, and forgiving. I know a prideful heart is something you hate. Please forgive me when my heart has been full with pride. Help me to focus more on you, and less on myself. Help me to share more of you, and less of me. Help me to never take for granted the wonderful benefits you give to me everyday. In Jesus name, Amen.