Humility and Grace: Lessons from Hezekiah's Journey

 

Summary

In today's reflection on Isaiah 38, we delve into the story of King Hezekiah, who faced a life-threatening illness and experienced a miraculous recovery through God's intervention. This narrative resonates deeply with our current experiences, particularly as we navigate the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 crisis. Hezekiah's journey through shock, hope, anguish, faith, and ultimately gratitude mirrors our own spiritual and emotional responses to crises. As we emerge from the initial shock and anguish, we are called to reflect on how we will live our lives when the crisis subsides.

Hezekiah's commitment to walk humbly before God, if granted more years, is a powerful reminder of the importance of humility and gratitude. Hezekiah vowed to glorify God and seek the good of others, yet his actions later revealed a struggle with pride. This serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of self-centeredness and the importance of aligning our actions with our commitments to God. Despite his initial resolve, Hezekiah's pride led him to make decisions that ultimately sowed the seeds of future disaster for his kingdom.

The story of Hezekiah challenges us to examine our own hearts and motivations. It prompts us to consider how we will use the life and opportunities God grants us. Will we live for ourselves, or will we live humbly for God's glory and the good of others? The narrative also highlights the transformative power of God's grace. Even when Hezekiah's pride led him astray, God's discipline brought him to repentance, demonstrating that there is always hope for redemption and renewal through Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- The Journey Through Crisis: Hezekiah's experience of shock, hope, anguish, faith, and gratitude mirrors our own spiritual journey through crises. It reminds us that faith is tested and strengthened through adversity, and that God's promises provide assurance even in the hardest times. [00:58]

- The Call to Humility: Hezekiah's commitment to walk humbly before God underscores the importance of humility in our relationship with Him. True humility involves glorifying God and seeking the good of others, rather than living for ourselves. [04:15]

- The Danger of Pride: Despite his initial resolve, Hezekiah's pride led him to make decisions that had disastrous consequences. This serves as a warning about the dangers of self-centeredness and the need to align our actions with our commitments to God. [16:44]

- The Transformative Power of Grace: God's discipline brought Hezekiah to repentance, demonstrating that there is always hope for redemption and renewal through Christ. God's grace prevails even when we fall short, offering us the opportunity to turn back to Him. [24:56]

- Living for God's Glory: The story challenges us to consider how we will use the life and opportunities God grants us. Will we live for ourselves, or will we live humbly for God's glory and the good of others? This question reveals the true state of our hearts. [19:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:19] - Introduction to Hezekiah's Story
- [00:58] - The Journey Through Crisis
- [02:12] - Hezekiah's Recovery and Our Reflection
- [03:52] - Hezekiah's Commitment to Humility
- [05:19] - Glorifying God and Seeking Good
- [06:40] - Expanding Circle of Praise
- [07:52] - Hezekiah's Actions and Consequences
- [10:01] - Isaiah's Prophecy and Hezekiah's Folly
- [12:32] - Hezekiah's Selfishness Revealed
- [15:01] - The Danger of Pride
- [17:10] - Hezekiah's Heart Exposed
- [20:29] - God's Discipline and Grace
- [23:49] - Hezekiah's Repentance
- [26:28] - Christ's Humility and Sacrifice
- [28:27] - The Question Before Us
- [31:16] - Prayer and Closing

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Story of King Hezekiah

Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 38:1-8
- 2 Chronicles 32:24-26
- Philippians 2:5-8

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Observation Questions:

1. What were the five stages of Hezekiah's journey through his illness as mentioned in the sermon? ([00:36])

2. How did Hezekiah initially respond to God's healing and the extension of his life? What commitment did he make? ([04:15])

3. What actions did Hezekiah take that contradicted his initial commitment to God? ([08:41])

4. How did God's discipline manifest in Hezekiah's life, and what was the outcome? ([24:56])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Hezekiah's journey through crisis reflect the spiritual and emotional responses we might experience during our own crises? ([00:58])

2. In what ways does Hezekiah's story serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and self-centeredness? ([16:44])

3. How does the sermon illustrate the transformative power of God's grace in Hezekiah's life, and what does this reveal about God's character? ([24:56])

4. What does Hezekiah's story teach us about the importance of aligning our actions with our commitments to God? ([19:44])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent crisis in your life. How did your spiritual journey through that crisis compare to Hezekiah's stages of shock, hope, anguish, faith, and gratitude? ([00:58])

2. Hezekiah vowed to walk humbly before God but later struggled with pride. Can you identify a time when you made a commitment to God but found it challenging to follow through? What steps can you take to align your actions with your commitments? ([04:15])

3. The sermon highlights the danger of living for oneself. In what areas of your life do you find it difficult to prioritize God's glory and the good of others over your own desires? ([15:01])

4. How can you cultivate humility in your daily life, especially in situations where you might be tempted to act out of pride or self-interest? ([16:44])

5. Consider the role of God's grace in your life. How have you experienced God's discipline and grace leading you to repentance and renewal? ([24:56])

6. The sermon challenges us to use the life and opportunities God grants us for His glory. What specific actions can you take this week to live more intentionally for God's glory and the good of others? ([19:44])

7. Reflect on the question posed in the sermon: "What are you doing with the life that God is giving to you?" How can you ensure that your life reflects your commitment to God and not just your own interests? ([28:45])

Devotional

Day 1: Faith Strengthened Through Crisis
In the story of King Hezekiah, we see a profound journey through crisis that mirrors our own spiritual experiences. Hezekiah faced a life-threatening illness, and his path from shock to hope, anguish, faith, and ultimately gratitude, reflects the emotional and spiritual responses we often have during challenging times. This narrative reminds us that our faith is tested and strengthened through adversity. Even in the hardest times, God's promises provide assurance and hope. As we navigate our own crises, we are encouraged to hold onto faith, trusting that God is with us and will guide us through. [00:58]

Isaiah 43:2-3 (ESV): "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively trust God to strengthen your faith through this situation today?


Day 2: Humility in Our Walk with God
Hezekiah's commitment to walk humbly before God is a powerful reminder of the importance of humility in our relationship with Him. True humility involves glorifying God and seeking the good of others, rather than living for ourselves. Hezekiah's initial resolve to live humbly is something we can aspire to in our own lives. By choosing humility, we align ourselves with God's will and open our hearts to His guidance and blessings. This humility is not just an attitude but a way of life that reflects our commitment to God and others. [04:15]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where pride has taken root. How can you practice humility in that area today, seeking to glorify God and serve others?


Day 3: The Perils of Pride
Despite Hezekiah's initial resolve, his pride led him to make decisions that had disastrous consequences for his kingdom. This serves as a warning about the dangers of self-centeredness and the need to align our actions with our commitments to God. Pride can blind us to our own faults and lead us away from God's path. By recognizing the dangers of pride, we can take steps to guard our hearts and ensure that our actions reflect our commitment to God and His purposes. [16:44]

Proverbs 16:18-19 (ESV): "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. Was pride a factor in your choice? How can you seek God's guidance to make more humble and God-centered decisions in the future?


Day 4: Grace and Redemption
The story of Hezekiah highlights the transformative power of God's grace. Even when Hezekiah's pride led him astray, God's discipline brought him to repentance, demonstrating that there is always hope for redemption and renewal through Christ. God's grace prevails even when we fall short, offering us the opportunity to turn back to Him. This grace is a gift that invites us to experience forgiveness and transformation, reminding us that no matter how far we stray, God is always ready to welcome us back. [24:56]

Joel 2:12-13 (ESV): "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments." Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you need God's grace. How can you open your heart to His transformative power and seek His forgiveness and renewal today?


Day 5: Living for God's Glory
The story of Hezekiah challenges us to consider how we will use the life and opportunities God grants us. Will we live for ourselves, or will we live humbly for God's glory and the good of others? This question reveals the true state of our hearts and calls us to examine our motivations and priorities. By choosing to live for God's glory, we align our lives with His purposes and experience the fulfillment that comes from serving Him and others. [19:44]

1 Peter 4:10-11 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: Reflect on your daily activities and priorities. How can you intentionally live for God's glory and the good of others in your actions and decisions today?

Quotes


Hezekiah was at the point of death he cried out to God in prayer god healed him and added 15 years to his life now here's the question what use did this man make of these 15 years or to put it more directly in a way that's personal for each and every one of us what will you do when you get your life back [00:02:29]

Hezekiah said I will walk slowly or as it might be translated humbly I will walk humbly all my years now this was hezekiah commitment he was absolutely clear Lord if you will give me my life back if you will answer my prayers here's what I'm going to do if you give me another 15 years I'm going to live every day of them before you in humility [00:04:13]

A humble person is one who seeks to glorify God he says verse 19 the living the living he thanks you as I do today Lord he's saying no one in the pit of destruction is going to be praising you but you have saved me from that you have promised me life and I believe your promise so I'm gonna praise you [00:05:07]

Hezekiah welcomed these envoy's gladly and he showed them his treasure house the silver the gold the spices all that was found in the storehouses now it's not difficult to imagine the effect that this had on the envoy's from babylon i mean their eyes widen as they see the gold and as they see the silver [00:08:41]

Good people can make disastrous decisions that's something very important that we learn right here Hezekiah was a godly man but here he acts in utter folly a good man making a disastrous decision showing future enemies all of the treasure in his house and it was an absolute disaster because this was what sowed the seed of the loss of Hezekiah kingdom in future generations [00:11:08]

Hezekiah said to Isaiah the word of the Lord that you have spoken is good for he thought there will be peace and security in my days that is sheer selfishness no thought for a future generation who cares what happens to other people as long as life is good for me there will be peace and security in my days [00:12:51]

Hezekiah did not make return according to the benefit done to him why for his heart was proud exactly the opposite of what he had said when he prayed to God you give me my life back you give me 15 more years I'm gonna walk humbly but the reality was that when God gave him his life back this man became proud [00:16:29]

God loves his children so much that he will not allow his own children to continue in sin what did this wrath look like well Chronicles tells us very clearly how it was that God dealt with Hezekiah and how he will deal with us if our hearts become proud verse 31 in the matter of the envoy's of the princes of Babylon here's what God did god left him to himself in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart [00:20:55]

Hezekiah humbled himself there's good news he humbled himself for the pride of his heart both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah now notice how it was that God's grace prevailed in this man's life he humbled himself for the pride of his heart [00:24:34]

Jesus absorbed the wrath that was due to us on account of our sins he took it in himself so that all who come to him in faith and in repentance for all who will come to him that wrath that was due to us it's not just for spawned it's removed there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus our Lord [00:27:51]

What are you doing with the life that God is giving to you what are you doing with it maybe you see something of yourself today in Hezekiah story and I want to end by speaking directly to the person who says yeah I see myself in the story I've really messed up big time I've said one thing and done another [00:28:48]

Our Father please forgive the foolish pride of our hearts that we would take the life that you give to us and spend it on ourselves father our hearts are exposed by your word and we thank you that when we see our own self-interest we see our need of a savior and we thank you that Jesus Christ is the savior we need [00:31:38]

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Transcript
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