Responding

II Chronicles 32 talks about Hezekiah:  In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. He prayed to the Lord, who answered him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah’s heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him; therefore the Lord’s wrath was on him and on Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah repented of the pride of his heart, as did the people of Jerusalem; therefore the Lord’s wrath did not come on them during the days of Hezekiah.

Here’s a guy who was about to die and he prayed, and the Lord answered him and gave him a miracle.  That’s an act of kindness!

Here’s a guy who became proud and did not respond to the Lord’s kindness, so this angered the Lord.

Here’s a guy who then repented of his pride (as did the people of his city) and the Lord’s anger turned away.

In fact, the next verses recount the many blessings Hezekiah received.

God answers our prayers and takes care of us daily.  And when things are going well, it’s easy to forget all of the kindnesses we are receiving from the Lord’s hand.  In fact, sometimes we become proud of all that “we” have accomplished, when the truth is that all good gifts arrive at our door from Him.

Being ungrateful and being proud are not qualities that please the Lord. 

Being grateful and humble at his feet enables the Lord to then bless us with more good things.

We are not recipients of God’s blessings in our lives so that we can puff up and have others look at how successful we are.  We are recipients so that we can in turn show kindness toward others and praise toward God.

I am thankful that we don’t live under God’s wrath, because of his son Jesus, but I am also aware that God requires us to follow after him in obedience, love, and response to His  Great Love by loving others as we love ourselves.