King Hezekiah: Episode Six
A testimony is a powerful thing which was the last strategy Satan used in the life of King Hezekiah. God’s future plan was that Judah would also go into captivity but not in Hezekiah’s lifetime. He may have changed the timing of His plan but not the outcome, therefore, He moved the king of Babylon to send undercover agents to hear the king’s testimony. “Tell us about your miraculous healing and the miracle of the sun’s shadow moving back ten steps!” Sounds good … but it wasn’t; they had a hidden agenda.
Hezekiah stepped right into the deception of thinking the greatness and prosperity of his kingdom should be admired by the ‘ambassadors’, subsequently, he showed them literally everything: treasure houses, gold and silver, precious stones, spices, military shields and armor, and storehouses full of grain, wine, and oil. The king had become quite prosperous and God was using it as a test of what remained in Hezekiah’s heart. What He saw was that the king didn’t respond appropriately to God’s kindness. The axiom proved true:
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
The prophet Isaiah heard about the Babylonian visit and asked the king what happened? Hezekiah told him honestly but Isaiah prophesied the coming of the Babylonian captivity of his people due to his pride and resulting foolishness. The king didn’t pray, he didn’t make his case, but only accepted God’s justice. 2 Chron. 32:25-26 shows us he did humble himself due to his prideful actions but was only thankful, in his self-centered way, that it didn’t occur in his lifetime. That’s the resolution or ending of the story of King Hezekiah.
Let’s bring this home. How easy it is to arrive at a place in your life when your guard is down and life is going pretty well. You’ve worked hard, made wise decisions, and have been generous but you’ve forgotten, as the king did, it’s God who gave you the ability to enjoy life (1 Tim. 6:17b). We’re warned to watch for the devil who’s like a prowling lion seeking to destroy us even when things are going our way (1 Peter 5:8). He’s strategically watching you, and when the opportunity arrives … he’ll take you down in the blink of an eye. Marriages and families are affected, your reputation at church or work will suffer due to your pride;
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Cor. 10:12
Hezekiah’s story shows us that when life circumstances slide downhill we can pray, however, when things are level, peaceful, and secure we should also pray. As believers we can never let down our guard but must depend on the Holy Spirit to alert us to our weaknesses. As God tested the king’s heart He’ll test yours as well, for your own good.
Think carefully, where have you left a door open in your life for Satan’s attack?
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