The Pilgrim Path---Second Chronicles 32: 24—31

In those days Hezekiah became sick and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the LORD, and he answered him and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah did not make a return according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud. Therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. But Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

And Hezekiah had very great riches and honor, and he made for himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of costly vessels; storehouses also for the yield of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of cattle, and sheepfolds. He likewise provided cities for himself, and flocks and herds in abundance, for God had given him very great possessions. This same Hezekiah closed the upper outlet of the waters of Gihon and directed them down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart.

HEZEKIAH---His Pride and Prosperity…

We have seen that King Hezekiah was a very godly man. He was a human agent that the LORD used in national spiritual renewal. Leaders do have profound impact for good (or evil) in a land. The Old Testament record is a lasting testimony to the influence of leaders---some to their shame, others to their credit before the LORD. Heaven wants us to “see” that as godly a man as Hezekiah may have been---he succumbed to that sin we all struggle with: PRIDE. Certainly, he knew better. But he fell, nonetheless. Ole George Swinnock used to say, “Pride is the shirt of the soul, put on first and off last.” As Wayne Mack has written, “Pride seeks to dethrone God and enthrone itself.” It just comes so easily---Pride!

Much can enable my pride:

---Times are easy for me---seemingly so---Then I spend little or No time with the LORD (what a mistake)

---The Circumstances seem to favor me---so I just follow the “times”---even if they happen to be contrary to the Word (yikes---I should know better)

---The majority of my friends agree with me---so everything “must” be alright? (it is something--- how you look for people to affirm you--- when you know you are probably on shaky ground---AND---you will find somebody to affirm you)

---The path was far easier than I thought---Certainly the “wrong” path would not be so trouble free?

---The folks tell me how wonderful I am---(rather than tell me the truth in love)

---Time “away” from the LORD can harden my heart---when I sense promptings to “return” I may think It is far too difficult to repent (the devil is a liar---and my heart is deceitful)

---The Society I live “in” promotes arrogance, egotism, conceit, haughtiness, self-importance, vainglory, high-mindedness, self-admiration, sham, and triviality---How am I not affected? My problem: I do not need much encouragement at all! Only the Living Christ can change people like Me (like Us). Only He can “get” hold of us daily---and get hold of us “daily” He must!

Go back to Isaiah chapter 38---and read of Hezekiah’s bout with illness. He almost died. He pled with the LORD to “change” matters---he cried and reminded the LORD of his faithfulness and whole-hearted service. The LORD spoke through Isaiah the prophet and decided to give Hezekiah 15 more years of life (even though He had initially told the King he would die). The LORD gave Hezekiah a “sign”---the declining sun---the sun “turned back” ---Isaiah 38: 7. Princes from Babylon came to hear about his miracle healing---and Hezekiah just “gushed” so---that he revealed all that was in his realm to them (Isaiah told him the LORD was not pleased---and even though he would know peace in “his” time---his sons would be taken to Babylon eventually---with all the stuff---he showed off with: the terrible results of pride). Think of that---you get peace---your descendants get crushed…all because of arrogance…

One point from Wayne Mack today--- on Pride:

It is foolish for us to be arrogant about ourselves because of God’s attitude concerning the proud---“Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD.” Proverbs 16: 5 / God hates pride because pride is a violation of the first commandment: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Ex. 20: 3). Pride is self-idolatry…The proud man attempts to steal the glory that God alone deserves.

From Jeremiah Burroughs: Those who mourn for sin are in a blessed condition! They shall be forgiven for all the sins that cause them to mourn, which shall never be charged to their soul! Be assured of it. The pardon is sealed in heaven already. Also, your mourning for sin will be blessed to you against the very sin you are mourning about! This is certain---either a man’s sin will make an end of his mourning, or a man’s mourning will make an end of his sin. If a man goes on sinning, he will leave off mourning, but if he keeps mourning, he will leave off sinning…

From Psalm 51

My soul lies humbled in the dust,

And owns thy dreadful sentence just;

Look down, O Lord, with pitying eye,

And save the soul condemned to die.

Isaac Watts, 1719

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason