The Hope of a Humble Heart - Sunday Teaching - 2 Chronicles 32 [St Erkenwalds, Barking]

Devotional

Day 1: Humility is a right view of God and ourselves

Humility is not about self-condemnation or denying the goodness within us, but about recognizing the greatness of God and our true place before Him. When we fix our eyes on God’s power and goodness, humility increases our hope regardless of our circumstances, and enables us to step into our true identity as His beloved children. True humility is not about getting everything right, but about wholehearted devotion and trust in the One who is greater, more faithful, and more good than we can imagine. [05:21]

2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (ESV)
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to shift your focus from your own limitations to God’s greatness, and how might that change your response to your current challenges?

Day 2: God values wholehearted pursuit over perfect performance

God is pleased not by our flawless actions, but by hearts that are fully after Him—even when we fall short or make mistakes. Hezekiah’s reforms were marked by zeal and passion, yet they were also full of compromises and imperfections. Still, God delighted in their desire to worship and pursue Him above all else. When our hearts are set on God, He is gracious to lead, correct, and bless us, even as we stumble along the way. [16:59]

2 Chronicles 30:18-20 (ESV)
“For a majority of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, ‘May the good Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness.’ And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.”

Reflection: Where have you been waiting to “get it all right” before coming to God, and how can you offer Him your wholehearted pursuit today, even in your imperfection?

Day 3: Humility seeks counsel and community in times of trial

When faced with overwhelming fear and intimidation, Hezekiah demonstrated humility by seeking advice from others and relying on God’s wisdom, not just his own strength. True humility is willing to ask for help, to lean on the prayers and support of others, and to fix our eyes on God’s goodness together. In moments when the enemy whispers doubts or accuses us of our failures, we are called to stand together and remember God’s faithfulness. [21:22]

Proverbs 15:22 (ESV)
“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.”

Reflection: Who can you reach out to today for wisdom, prayer, or encouragement as you face your own challenges, rather than trying to handle it all alone?

Day 4: Success and comfort can lead our hearts away from God

After seasons of victory and blessing, Hezekiah’s heart gradually drifted from God as pride crept in. Instead of seeking counsel or humbling himself, he welcomed flattery and took credit for what God had done, opening the door for future downfall. The subtle danger of pride is that it often grows unnoticed in times of strength and success, leading us to rely on ourselves rather than on God. [27:02]

Deuteronomy 8:11-14 (ESV)
“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”

Reflection: In what ways might comfort, success, or praise be drawing your heart away from humble dependence on God, and how can you intentionally return to Him today?

Day 5: God calls us to humble ourselves daily, regardless of the season

Whether in times of crisis or celebration, God’s desire for His people remains the same: to humble ourselves before His greatness and goodness. Our hope is not in our circumstances, past achievements, or fears about the future, but in the God who is saving all creation and inviting us to play a part. A humble church—one that seeks God’s face and surrenders to His will—is what our world needs most right now. [30:55]

James 4:10 (ESV)
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”

Reflection: What is one practical way you can humble yourself before God today—whether through prayer, confession, or serving others—and invite Him to have His way in your life?

Sermon Summary

Humility is not about self-condemnation or denying the goodness God has placed within us, but about having a right understanding of who God is and who we are before Him. When we fix our eyes on God’s greatness and goodness, humility becomes the foundation for hope, even in the most challenging circumstances. Hezekiah’s story in 2 Chronicles 32 offers a powerful example of this. Despite inheriting a broken, idolatrous kingdom, Hezekiah’s wholehearted devotion to God led to national renewal. His reforms were not perfect—there were compromises and mistakes along the way—but God was pleased because Hezekiah’s heart was set on pursuing Him above all else.

This teaches that God values our wholehearted pursuit more than our flawless execution. Even when our understanding or actions fall short, humility keeps us open to God’s correction and grace. The danger comes not from our failures, but from pride—when we begin to believe we have “arrived,” or that our past successes make us self-sufficient. Hezekiah’s later years show how subtle pride can be: after great victories and recognition, he let his guard down, welcomed flattery, and failed to seek God’s counsel. This opened the door for future disaster, not just for himself but for the whole nation.

The call is to remain humble whether we are facing overwhelming challenges or enjoying seasons of success. Humility keeps our hope anchored in God, not in our circumstances or achievements. It also keeps us dependent on God and open to the wisdom and support of others. In times of fear, humility leads us to seek help and trust God’s power. In times of strength, humility guards us from pride and self-reliance. Ultimately, what God desires is a humble people who pursue Him with their whole hearts, trusting that He will work through us for His purposes. Our nation and our world do not need a church with all the answers, but a church that is humble, prayerful, and surrendered to God’s will.

Key Takeaways

1. Humility is a Right View of God and Self True humility is not about self-deprecation or denying the gifts God has given us. It is about recognizing God’s greatness and our dependence on Him, which leads to hope that transcends our circumstances. When our eyes are fixed on God, humility becomes the soil in which hope and faith can flourish. [05:21]
2. Wholehearted Pursuit Matters More Than Perfection God is pleased with hearts that are fully after Him, even when our actions or understanding are imperfect. Hezekiah’s reforms were marked by compromises and mistakes, yet God honored his zeal and devotion. Our willingness to pursue God wholeheartedly, despite our shortcomings, is what He values most. [16:59]
3. Humility Keeps Us Open to Correction and Growth Even when we are passionate and sincere, we will sometimes get things wrong. Humility allows us to trust that God can correct and guide us as we continue to seek Him. The danger lies in thinking we have “arrived” and no longer need God’s correction or the input of others. [19:32]
4. Pride is Most Dangerous in Seasons of Success Hezekiah’s greatest spiritual danger came not in crisis, but in comfort and recognition. When we begin to believe our own press or rely on past victories, pride can subtly creep in and distance our hearts from God. Humility is needed just as much in times of strength as in times of weakness. [27:02]
5. A Humble Church is What the World Needs The world does not need a church with all the answers or a perfect track record, but a church that is humble, prayerful, and surrendered to God. When we humble ourselves, we become vessels for God’s purposes, and our hope is lifted from our circumstances to His greater work in the world. [30:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:16] - Introduction and Personal Story
[00:42] - Opening Prayer
[01:27] - A Tired Morning and God’s Blessings
[02:24] - Preaching from the Communion Table
[03:25] - Preparing the Passage and God’s Leading
[04:12] - The Theme of Humility
[05:21] - What Humility Really Means
[06:44] - The Story of Israel and the Kings
[09:54] - God’s Promises: Temple and Messiah
[11:33] - Hezekiah: An Example of Humility
[13:13] - The Brokenness Hezekiah Inherited
[14:31] - Hezekiah’s Reforms and Zeal
[16:59] - God’s Pleasure in Wholehearted Pursuit
[19:32] - Humility and Openness to Correction
[21:15] - Hezekiah’s Humility in Crisis
[25:01] - The Subtle Danger of Pride
[27:02] - The Consequences of Drifting from God
[28:31] - A Warning for Our Time
[30:01] - The Call to Humble Ourselves
[31:15] - Communion and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What situation did Hezekiah inherit when he became king, and what were some of the first actions he took to address it?
In 2 Chronicles 32, what two different kinds of challenges did Hezekiah face, and how did he respond to each?
According to the sermon, what were some of the compromises or imperfections in Hezekiah’s reforms, and how did God respond to them?
When Hezekiah was confronted by the Assyrian threat, what did he do to seek help and wisdom?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon says that humility is not about self-condemnation but about having a right view of God and ourselves. How does Hezekiah’s story illustrate this kind of humility?
Why do you think God was pleased with Hezekiah’s wholehearted pursuit, even though his actions and reforms were not perfect?
The sermon points out that pride became a danger for Hezekiah after his successes. Why is pride especially dangerous in seasons of comfort or recognition?
How does humility keep us open to correction and growth, according to the sermon and Hezekiah’s example?

Application Questions

Hezekiah inherited a broken situation but chose to pursue God wholeheartedly. Is there an area in your life right now that feels broken or overwhelming? What would it look like to pursue God wholeheartedly in that area, even if you don’t have all the answers?
The sermon emphasized that God values our wholehearted pursuit more than perfect execution. Are there ways you hold back from serving or obeying God because you feel you’re not “good enough” or might make mistakes? How could you step forward in faith this week?
Hezekiah sought advice and help from others during crisis. When you face intimidating or fearful situations, are you quick to ask for help and prayer, or do you tend to isolate yourself? What is one practical step you could take to invite others into your struggles?
The sermon warns that pride can creep in subtly, especially after seasons of success. Can you think of a time when you relied on your own strength or past victories instead of seeking God? How did that affect your relationship with Him?
Humility keeps us open to correction from God and others. Is there an area where you sense God (or someone else) might be trying to correct or guide you, but you’ve been resistant? What would it look like to respond with humility?
The world doesn’t need a perfect church, but a humble, prayerful, surrendered one. What is one way our small group or church could practice humility together this month—either in prayer, service, or confession?
The sermon ended with a call to humble ourselves and ask God to show us any pride or drift in our hearts. Take a moment to reflect: Is there a specific area where you need to humble yourself before God today? What is one step you can take this week to do that?

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the true meaning of humility before God

How does humility increase Christian hope and authority

In what ways can pride lead to spiritual downfall