You and I are here for a Divine assignment, not simply to occupy space!
We are here to bring the reality of GOD’S Presence, of HIS Mind, of HIS Will into culture itself. We are to establish an environment that promotes this reality. GOD is looking for a city that will belong entirely to HIM.
Hezekiah or Hizkiah or Hizkijah = “Jehovah is my strength”
It is written by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Kings chapter 18:
1 Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea the son of Elah, king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign.
2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah.
3 And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done.
4 He removed the high places and broke the sacred pillars, cut down the wooden image and broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made; for until those days the children of Israel burned incense to it, and called it Nehushtan (a thing of brass).
The children were worshipping the tool, the serpent, rather than the ONE Who healed them. This brazen serpent became the center of idol worship. They were worshipping the “routines” derived from the original revelation in the wilderness.
All miracles and signs point to a Person and the moment I lose sight of the Person, I’ll worship the sign.
5 He trusted in the LORD God of Israel, so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor who were before him.
6 For he held fast to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses.
7 The LORD was with him; he prospered wherever he went. And he rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.
The blessing of THE LORD creates a momentum in our life. We must be diligent to not serve the momentum, but instead we are to serve the Source: Our Heavenly Father.
Jesus emphasized this when He spoke in Matthew chapter 6:
33 But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these (less important) things shall be added to you (in abundance).
We are not to serve “the things”!
During those fifteen years, what happened?
It is written by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Chronicles chapter 32:
27 Hezekiah had very great riches and honor. And he made himself treasuries for silver, for gold, for precious stones, for spices, for shields, and for all kinds of desirable items;
28 storehouses for the harvest of grain, wine, and oil; and stalls for all kinds of livestock, and folds for flocks.
29 Moreover he provided cities for himself, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much property.
30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the water outlet of Upper Gihon, and brought the water by tunnel to the west side of the City of David. Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
As a result, Hezekiah’s heart was lifted up and pride entered in.
31 However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart.
When he was sick unto death, he cried out to THE LORD, but when things were going exceedingly well, he forgot WHO delivered him and pride entered in. Let us not forget WHO is our Provider in the good times of prosperity!
What was the sign of Hezekiah’s pride?
In 2 Kings chapter 20:
12 At that time Berodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick.
13 And Hezekiah was attentive to them, and showed them all the house of his treasures-the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory-all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them.
14 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, “What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?” So Hezekiah said, “They came from a far country, from Babylon.”
15 And he said, “What have they seen in your house?” So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.”
Only an insecure leader needing to impress, would show off his treasures. Hezekiah was trying to attract favor on a natural level rather than by the Divine relationship with THE LORD. Once again, let us not forget WHO is our Provider in the good times of prosperity!