We will miss it...
This short glimpse into the life of Hezekiah continues in Isaiah. After the Lord heals him, Hezekiah welcomes the envoys from Babylon and proudly shows them everything in his kingdom. At this point, Babylon is not yet the world power it will become, but about a century later will carry Judah into captivity.
Hezekiah is so consumed with pride that he completely misses what is happening. Isaiah declares: "'Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,' says the Lord. 'And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.' "" Isaiah 39:6-7
Hezekiah's response is heartbreaking: "So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good!" For he said, "At least there will be peace and truth in my days."" Isaiah 39:8
What a sobering response. As readers, we quickly recognize the pride and self-centeredness in Hezekiah. Yet if we're honest, we can fall into the same trap. Pride has a way of narrowing our vision until all we see is ourselves. We become so focused on our own comfort, success, or security that we fail to notice how our attitudes and decisions affect the people around us.
Passages like this lead me to pray, "Lord, reveal the pride and self-centeredness in my own heart. Don't let me be blind to what You clearly see."
Let me encourage you, as I encourage myself, to ask the Lord to search your heart. Pride doesn't just distance us from God; it wounds the people around us and ultimately harms us as well.
Father, show us where we have become self-centered. Replace our pride with humility, and give us hearts that are fixed on You and faithful to those You've entrusted to us.
-To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.