“Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death. Isaiah the prophet said to him, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed.., ‘Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.’ And Hezekiah wept bitterly. And before Isaiah had gone out of the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Turn back, and say to Hezekiah..: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you… I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake.’ And Isaiah said, ‘Bring a cake of figs. And let them take and lay it on the boil, that he may recover…’
“At that time… the king of Babylon sent envoys with letters and a present, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. Hezekiah welcomed them, and showed them all his treasure house, the silver, the gold, the spices, the precious oil, his armory… Then Isaiah… said to him, ‘What did these men say? From where did they come?.. What have they seen in your house?’ Hezekiah answered, ‘They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing in my storehouses that I did not show them.’
“Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah,.. ‘ Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house,.. shall be carried to Babylon.., says the Lord. And some of your own sons… shall be taken away, and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’ Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, ‘The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.’ For he thought, ‘Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?'” 2 Kings 20:1-7,12-19
Godly Hezekiah had been the recipient of God’s abundance. He followed his Lord steadfastly, led Judah with alacrity and devotion, and his heart was tender toward Him… until it was not. Upon learning he faced imminent death, he wept before God. The Lord responded immediately in lavish mercy, restoring his body. Something about the miraculous turn of events turned his heart sour to allow pride and self-absorption to bloom and disguise the blessing of God as his own. He flaunted his bounty and callously dismissed mercifully-deferred judgment. His poor choices tarnished his reputation and brought about great evil through his wicked son. (2 Kings 18:1-8; 21:1-9)
We must never forget that while the Lord’s shower of mercy is of great benefit to us, it is for His sake and to magnify His glory, not ours. His character, not our bounty or special favor, should be on display. We must never touch His glory. (Isaiah 42:8; 48:11; Hosea 13:1-2)
How sinister the temptation, when we’re exalted by men, to then exalt ourselves. We express desperate need, but when God answers, we smugly take credit. How will we resist making life about us? Regularly thanking God and recounting His wondrous grace to others keeps Him our focus. How will we magnify His wondrous ways, His gifts of salvation and life, today?
Lord, may I never take Your mercies for granted, but live to make them known.
As the rain and snow 