August 5, 2023

Proverbs 16:18–19 (NKJV) — 18 Pride goes before destruction, And a
haughty spirit before a fall. 19 Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly,
Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Whatever God has blessed you with give God the glory, not yourself or
others.
Hezekiah is a perfect example of this.

  1. We are more inclined to pray and seek God when we have a fight
    on our hands.
  2. Times of Blessing and Peace are often more dangerous than times
    of trials and trouble.

Two mighty things God did in Hezekiah’s life. God defeated the Assyrians in
one night. One hundred and eighty-five thousand soldiers were killed.
Isaiah told Hezekiah he was going to die. Hezekiah prayed to God to extend
his life. Isaiah came back and told him God would give him 15 more years.
Because of the blessing of God, Hezekiah prospered. He was a model of the
person who obeyed the word of God and depended upon His power.
But Hezekiah compromised with the Assyrians. The Assyrians returned and
attacked Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 32:24 says Hezekiah compromised with
the Assyrians. Hezekiah became proud. God humbled him.
How soon we forget God during times of blessing and peace. Maybe God
allows us to go through the turmoil of life to help us keep our focus on him
and not the things of this world.
Psalm 37:16–17 says, “A little that a righteous man has Is better than the
riches of many wicked. 17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, But
the LORD upholds the righteous.”
Put in simplistic terms, Israel fell because they left God and served the false
Gods. Judah fell because they left God and served the false Gods. Is it
possible we are going through the fight of today because we have
compromised our faith in God? Are we trusting the god of government
instead the God of all creation? Are we more concerned with what is
happening in Washington, or our state capitol, or city and county
government instead of The God of All Creation?

We should be involved in our government but not to the exclusion of God!
God must come first in all things. He is to receive glory and honor in all
things!