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Bible reading: 2
Chronicles 32:24-33
24 In
those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the
LORD: and he spoke unto him, and he gave him a sign. 25 But
Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto
him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon
him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Notwithstanding
Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and
the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came
not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. 27 And Hezekiah
had exceeding much riches and honor: and he made himself
treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones,
and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant
jewels; 28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and
wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes
for flocks. 29 Moreover he provided him cities, and
possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given
him substance very much. 30 This same Hezekiah also
stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight
down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah
prospered in all his works. 31 Howbeit in the business of
the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to
enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him,
to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. 32 Now
the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they
are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of
Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 33 And
Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the
chiefest of the sepulchers of the sons of David: and all Judah
and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death. And
Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
God left Hezekiah
to himself, that, by this trial and his weakness in it, what was
in his heart might be known; that he was not so perfect in grace
as he thought he was.
It is good for us to know ourselves, and our own weakness and
sinfulness, that we may not be conceited, or self-confident, but
may always live in dependence upon Divine grace. We know not the
corruption of our own hearts, nor what we shall do if God leaves
us to ourselves.
His sin was, that his heart was lifted up. What need have great
men, and good men, and useful men, to study their own infirmities
and follies, and their obligations to free grace, that they may
never think highly of themselves; but beg earnestly of God, that
he will always keep them humble!
Hezekiah made a bad return to God for his favors, by making even
those favors the food and fuel of his pride. Let us shun the
occasions of sin: let us avoid the company, the amusements, the
books, yea, the very sights that may administer to sin. Let us
commit ourselves continually to God's care and protection; and beg
of him never to leave us nor forsake us. Blessed be God, death
will soon end the believer's conflict; then pride and every sin
will be abolished. He will no more be tempted to withhold the
praise which belongs to the God of his salvation.
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