Many who stand in the Fight (Battle) may fall in the Favour (Blessings).
21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but a man is tested by the praise he receives. (but a man is tested by his reaction to men’s praise. The Living Bible) Proverbs 27
In the threat to God’s people in Jerusalem, God Himself gave them a sign of His Faithfulness towards them, but it would only be fully revealed long after His deliverance.
29 “This will be the sign for you, Hezekiah:
“THIS YEAR YOU WILL EAT WHAT GROWS BY ITSELF,
AND THE SECOND YEAR WHAT SPRINGS FROM THAT.
But in the third year sow and reap, (Back to sowing and reaping)
plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
30 Once more a remnant of the kingdom of Judah
will take root below and bear fruit above.
31 For out of Jerusalem will come a remnant,
and out of Mount Zion a band of survivors.”
“The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” 2 Kings 19
God reversed the curse on the land that had been spoken over Adam, crops produced without labour. This blessing showed His ongoing love and care for Judah and not just a one time deliverance from a powerful enemy.
In the account written in 2 Chronicles 32:22-23 it says, ‘God took care of them/gave them peace on every side and many people brought Hezekiah gifts, he was highly regarded by the nations’. But somewhere in the time of peace and blessing, ‘Hezekiah’s heart became proud!’ 2 Chronicles 32
Hezekiah became ill and Isaiah the prophet told him to prepare for death, but when he, ‘turned his face to the wall and wept’, the Lord heard his prayer and added fifteen years to his life. In this personal battle, he asked Isaiah for a sign that he would get up from his sick bed and go to the Temple in three days. God did not Rebuke him for asking for the sign, but miraculously fulfilled it by sending the shadow back by ten steps. God often gives us small signs of encouragement that He’s with us in the midst of our struggles if we have eyes to see them. Maybe some need to ask for His reassurance today.
Hezekiah’s prayer is written for us in Isaiah 38:9-22 and there’s a turning point in verse 15 when he humbles himself and God heals him. God was faithful to Hezekiah as the King had been sincere towards Him.
17 Surely it was for my benefit
that I suffered such anguish.
In your love you kept me
from the pit of destruction;
you have put all my sins
behind your back. Isaiah 38
Hezekiah had been a very good leader for his people, but God had to get him to humble himself before He healed him and gave him fifteen more years. Hezekiah was faithful in the battle but his heart changed in the peace.
May we guard against pride in our hearts when we have peace and blessing in our lives. Hallelujah