RTW July 22

Respond Rightly To God’s Kindness

Hezekiah did not live with gratitude of grace, he became proud.
2 Chronicles 32:25

 

 

My Takeaways

Something Old

How would I respond if the angel of the LORD told me I would “not recover from this?”

Something New

Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to God’s kindness?

The incorrect response:

  • Arrogance: we deserve it
  • Assumption: we can have it again
  • Indifferent: we don’t really care

The correct response:

  • Humility: We live in submission
  • Unexpected: We don’t expect, but live for the unexpected.
  • Responsive: We live gratitude.

Something to Do

Offer the right response to God’s loving-kindness.

 

 

 

 

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5 Comments

  1. New: Hezekiah was only 39 years old when he learned he was going to die (Guzik commentary). I thought he was OLD!

    2 Kings 20:5 – “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears”…It is comforting to know that the LORD hears all my prayers.

    I can almost imagine the tone of Hezekiah’s inappropriate response “Hey, I’m so great and special – highly favored – because the LORD healed ME!!” Acting like he was perhaps more special and more favored than others. PRIDE. And then when the Babylonians came because of the “remarkable events that had taken place” (NOT because of the remarkable THINGS Hezekiah had in the treasure-houses) – He showed them everything in HIS treasure-houses, took them to see HIS armory and showed them everything in HIS royal treasuries. And he said to Isaiah “I showed them everything I own – all MY royal treasuries”. Basically he said to the Babylonians: “Look at all MY stuff – aren’t I great?” Rather than give glory to God. He was people pleasing – looking for approval and acceptance from the Babylonians perhaps?

    The most heartbreaking verse in today’s reading was 2 Kings 20:19(b) “At least there will be peace and security in my lifetime”… Hezekiah didn’t care about what happened to others – as long as it was peaceful in his lifetime. It got me thinking (and so much throughout this morning has been confirming this) about how self-centered this world is (and I count myself in this description – I am so self-absorbed and self-involved)…. and this includes some Christians! We talk about self-love, self-worth, choosing ourselves, fighting for ourselves. I see it all over social media (and am guilty of it as well). What about dying to self, denying ourselves and picking up our crosses? I don’t know, I’m still working through some of this – but I’m acutely aware of how often the decisions i make on a daily basis are focused on my comfort, my desires, my best interests.

    I love Wendy’s descriptions of the correct responses to God’s kindness – especially the Unexpected – that we don’t expect, but live for the unexpected. This is faith -it makes me think of Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

  2. My first time commenting. I hesitate but feel compelled believing this will further enhance my experience with RTW. Thank you Wendy for your takeaways. They are always a blessing to me. Many times though after I read the day’s scripture without listening to your video I’m baffled by the hardship, behavior, brutality, cruelty, ruthlessness, and heartlessness described with God’s chosen/favored people. Thankful for your videos so that I see a whole different view that leaves me hopeful instead of afraid or troubled.

    For example, today’s lesson there were a couple areas jumped out to me that I find perplexing: (1) Isaiah 38: 10-11 Hezekiah seems to dread death. He doesn’t indicate any hope for life after death. And then Isaiah 39:7-9 there appears to be no concern for his children who will be in exile but rather he is glad for his own security for the rest of his life. I wasn’t clear on my takeaways or rather what God was speaking to me. But then after listening to today’s video I saw those points and inspired to evaluate myself.

    My faith is strong but my personal relationship with God is more on fear. If I were reading the Old Testament by myself without listening to your takeaways, that fear would be even more amplified. I don’t always get the daily readings in but even when I miss a few days I return remembering your encouragement to not get discouraged and/or give up.

    1. Kimberley – I can so relate! Thank you for posting! Many Old Testament readings leave me scratching my head. As someone who is a relatively new to God’s Word, I find the lessons and other people’s comments so helpful to learn. I also fear posting – but it HAS been helpful to me (and surprisingly to me – helpful to others as well!)

  4. Such different perspectives between the 2 Kings passage and the 2 Chronicles passage regarding Hezekiah.
    One commentary I read said 2 Kings is likened to “mans perspective” and 2 Chronicles is likened to “Gods perspective”.
    I had to ask myself: whose perspective am I reading and receiving the word? Mine or God’s??? Ouch!!

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