“About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill. He prayed to the Lord, who healed him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud. So the Lord’s anger came against him and against Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah humbled himself and repented of his pride, as did the people of Jerusalem. So the Lord’s anger did not fall on them during Hezekiah’s lifetime. Hezekiah was very wealthy and highly honored. He built special treasury buildings for his silver, gold, precious stones, and spices, and for his shields and other valuable items. He also constructed many storehouses for his grain, new wine, and olive oil; and he made many stalls for his cattle and pens for his flocks of sheep and goats. He built many towns and acquired vast flocks and herds, for God had given him great wealth. He blocked up the upper spring of Gihon and brought the water down through a tunnel to the west side of the City of David. And so he succeeded in everything he did. However, when ambassadors arrived from Babylon to ask about the remarkable events that had taken place in the land, God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and to see what was really in his heart. The rest of the events in Hezekiah’s reign and his acts of devotion are recorded in The Vision of the Prophet Isaiah Son of Amoz, which is included in The Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel. When Hezekiah died, he was buried in the upper area of the royal cemetery, and all Judah and Jerusalem honored him at his death. And his son Manasseh became the next king.”
2 Chronicles 32:24-33 NLT
The difficult truth about God’s blessings is that God makes us into a person worthy of being blessed, but not out of an obligation to us. We did not beckon ourselves into existence nor are we an art piece demanding an artist. God could take anything and make it a masterpiece. No one of us is significant in this way. We are significant because significance is bestowed upon us. God makes us and so we are a masterpiece. This places our creation in an interesting place. We are both masterpieces and invaluable and also not valuable at all. In truth, it is adjacent value that we obtain by being with God. By seeing us, one can see him. But this also means that when we do not show God, our value becomes utility only. Hezekiah needed to be reminded of this fact. This reminder was a grace upon him. And it is a grace that we should all learn for ourselves. There is only room for pride when that pride speaks to God’s glory and not our own. When the pride speaks about us, it always says the same thing. Compared to God, man’s value is measurable and found wanting, and when this happens, it is only preceded by judgment. We must remember Jesus, who, having the status of God, chose to lower himself. How much more should we, the unentitled?
God’s Blessings: God blesses us not out of obligation but because God makes us worthy of blessings.
Human Significance: Our significance comes from God’s creation and the value God bestows upon us, not from our own inherent worth.
Pride and Humility: Pride that exalts God is acceptable, but pride that exalts ourselves is misguided and leads to judgment.
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