Isaiah 39:1–8
“Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house… shall be carried to Babylon.” – Isaiah 39:6
Click to read passage
v It is easy to seek God when we are in trouble. When Hezekiah was seriously ill in Isaiah 38, he turned to God in prayer. He wept before the Lord and pleaded for mercy. God heard his prayer, healed him, and gave him fifteen more years of life.
But in the very next chapter, the passage we read today, we see a different side of Hezekiah. After his recovery, envoys from Babylon visited him. They brought letters and a gift, and Hezekiah welcomed them gladly. Perhaps he was flattered that such important visitors had come to see him. But instead of seeking God’s wisdom, Hezekiah showed them everything he possessed: his treasures, his storehouses, his armoury, everything in his kingdom.
What a contrast! In chapter 38, Hezekiah is on his knees, looking to God. In chapter 39, he is standing proudly, showing others what he has. The problem was not simply that Hezekiah had possessions or that he received important visitors. The deeper problem was that he had forgotten where his security came from. The God who had delivered him had been replaced by confidence in what he possessed and what he could display.
This is a warning to us because we can easily do the same. When we are struggling, we pray. When we are desperate, we seek God. But when things begin to go well, when our prayers are answered, our work succeeds, our family is doing well, or we experience God’s blessing, we may slowly become less dependent on Him. What we once received with thanksgiving can become something we take pride in. We can begin to admire the gifts while forgetting the Giver.
Isaiah’s warning to Hezekiah was sobering. The very treasures he proudly displayed would one day be carried away to Babylon. What seemed to represent strength and security would not last. Isaiah 39 reminds us that God’s blessings are never meant to replace worship for God alone. Whatever we have-our abilities, achievements, possessions, opportunities, relationships and even ministry are gifts from Him. They are reasons for gratitude, not grounds for pride.
Perhaps the greater danger is not losing God’s blessings, but becoming so comfortable with the blessings that we no longer feel the need for God. Brothers and sisters, let us examine our hearts. Have God’s blessings drawn us closer to Him, or have they quietly made us more self-reliant? Do we still pray with the same dependence when life is going well as when we face difficulties? May we never allow God’s gifts to make us forget God Himself.
Reflection:
1. What blessings in my life might I be tempted to take pride in or depend on instead of God?
2. How can I intentionally remember and thank God for the Giver, rather than focusing only on His gifts?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, everything I have comes from you. Forgive me when I become proud of what I have and forget that everything comes from You. If I were to boast, help me to only boast of what You have done in my life. Keep my heart humble and dependent on You, for apart from You, I can do nothing. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Click to read passage
v It is easy to seek God when we are in trouble. When Hezekiah was seriously ill in Isaiah 38, he turned to God in prayer. He wept before the Lord and pleaded for mercy. God heard his prayer, healed him, and gave him fifteen more years of life.
But in the very next chapter, the passage we read today, we see a different side of Hezekiah. After his recovery, envoys from Babylon visited him. They brought letters and a gift, and Hezekiah welcomed them gladly. Perhaps he was flattered that such important visitors had come to see him. But instead of seeking God’s wisdom, Hezekiah showed them everything he possessed: his treasures, his storehouses, his armoury, everything in his kingdom.
What a contrast! In chapter 38, Hezekiah is on his knees, looking to God. In chapter 39, he is standing proudly, showing others what he has. The problem was not simply that Hezekiah had possessions or that he received important visitors. The deeper problem was that he had forgotten where his security came from. The God who had delivered him had been replaced by confidence in what he possessed and what he could display.
This is a warning to us because we can easily do the same. When we are struggling, we pray. When we are desperate, we seek God. But when things begin to go well, when our prayers are answered, our work succeeds, our family is doing well, or we experience God’s blessing, we may slowly become less dependent on Him. What we once received with thanksgiving can become something we take pride in. We can begin to admire the gifts while forgetting the Giver.
Isaiah’s warning to Hezekiah was sobering. The very treasures he proudly displayed would one day be carried away to Babylon. What seemed to represent strength and security would not last. Isaiah 39 reminds us that God’s blessings are never meant to replace worship for God alone. Whatever we have-our abilities, achievements, possessions, opportunities, relationships and even ministry are gifts from Him. They are reasons for gratitude, not grounds for pride.
Perhaps the greater danger is not losing God’s blessings, but becoming so comfortable with the blessings that we no longer feel the need for God. Brothers and sisters, let us examine our hearts. Have God’s blessings drawn us closer to Him, or have they quietly made us more self-reliant? Do we still pray with the same dependence when life is going well as when we face difficulties? May we never allow God’s gifts to make us forget God Himself.
Reflection:
1. What blessings in my life might I be tempted to take pride in or depend on instead of God?
2. How can I intentionally remember and thank God for the Giver, rather than focusing only on His gifts?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, everything I have comes from you. Forgive me when I become proud of what I have and forget that everything comes from You. If I were to boast, help me to only boast of what You have done in my life. Keep my heart humble and dependent on You, for apart from You, I can do nothing. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.