In contemplating, what to write this first day of December, I was torn. It would seem natural to write something about Christmas. But, the Lord led me in another direction. I have been slowly, and I do mean slowly, making my way through the Old Testament. As I read about King Hezekiah, I was quite fascinated with him, especially when you consider that his father was King Ahaz. It says of Ahaz, “He did not do what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord, as his ancestor David had done. Instead, he followed the example of the kings of Israel. He cast metal images for the worship of Baal…In this way, he followed the practices of the pagan nations the Lord had driven from the land ahead of the Israelites.” (2 Chronicles 28:1-4 NLT)
On the other hand, it says of his son, Hezekiah, “He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his ancestor David had done” (2 Chronicles 29:2 NLT). Instead of leading the people to worship Baal as his father had done, Hezekiah led them to purify themselves and worship God. He set an example for the people in faithfully obeying God’s Word. He encouraged them to use their God-given skills and to give to God what was his—the first fruits of their labor. Hezekiah believed in prayer and the power of God. What a contrast to his father, Ahaz!
I think one of the things I love most about the Old Testament is the number of times God’s people mess up—because I mess up! Yet, God loved them and desired His very best for them, as He does for us.
Even Hezekiah, as good a King as he was, messed-up. His sin came as a result of his pride and lack of gratitude to God for answering his prayer. Obviously, when pride is present, there is little to no room for humility nor gratitude. Hezekiah’s response angered God. “About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill. He prayed to the Lord, who healed him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud. So, the Lord’s anger came against him and against Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah humbled himself and repented of his pride, as did the people of Jerusalem. So, the Lord’s anger did not fall on them during Hezekiah’s lifetime.” (2 Chronicles 32:24-26 NLT)
Like Hezekiah, many of us fail to be grateful for all God has done for us. Did you know a lack of gratitude reveals a prideful heart? When we fail to give thanks, we are exhibiting a prideful heart set on self which results in our taking credit for the goodness and blessings in our lives. We do not give God the praise and gratitude He deserves. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (James 1:17 ESV)
We can see that for the most part, Hezekiah lived a faithful life. But, he messed up near the end, failing to show a heart of gratitude to God. There was a point in my life when I too messed up and failed to give God the proper thanks for all He had done for me. Through loneliness, heartache, pain, and God’s refining process, I came to a place of humbling myself, like Hezekiah, and repenting of my pride. Since that time, God has given me a new set of eyes. I see His goodness and blessings in the many ways He cares and provides for Mark and me every single day.
I want to encourage you to have a grateful heart this Christmas season and into 2018. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Repent of any pride that keeps you from having a thankful heart. Respond appropriately to the kindness of God in your life. Thank Him! Praise Him! Worship Him!
Dianne