Chosen by God!
What did they see in your palace?” Isaiah asked. “They saw everything,” Hezekiah replied. “I showed them everything I own—all my royal treasuries.” Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Listen to this message from the Lord: The time is coming when everything in your palace—all the treasures stored up by your ancestors until now—will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. Some of your very own sons will be taken away into exile. They will become eunuchs who will serve in the palace of Babylon’s king. Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, “This message you have given me from the Lord is good.” For the king was thinking, “At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.” (II Kings 20:15-20 NLT)
What’s interesting to me in this situation is the vast difference in Hezekiah’s response. When the prophet told him he was going to die, he wept and prayed to the Lord, reminding Him of his walk before the Lord. This time he has no repentant spirit or the need to seek God’s face. Even after God graciously extended his life he did not recognize the gift he received. He became full of himself and self-centered not even caring about the next generation.
We can never allow God’s love for us to get us to the point that we take it for granted. To boast, stealing God’s glory, is something we should never do. Instead we must give thanks and when we share our victories and accomplishments we give must give God all the glory, always pointing people to Jesus. We cannot allow the blessings God bestows on us to take us to a place of pride. We must always remember that it is God in us, and working through us that accounts for our success. Without Him we cannot accomplish anything of lasting value. When we forget this we operate in our own limited strength. Why would we do this when His strength is available to us and limitless?
“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]." (Philippians 4:13 AMPC)
The Amplified version of this Scripture is my favorite. Every time I see the word infuses I think of a blood transfusion and my Abba Father infusing into me whatever I need at the time. I immediately feel stronger and ready to face whatever life throws at me. I have to be continually infused with His strength! And this is why we cannot steal God’s glory! Don’t play into the enemy’s hands by focusing on yourself. Focus on God.
Faith Confession:
Abba, let me never forget that all I am, all I have, and all I do, is because of relationship with You. Let me never forget the cost You paid for this relationship, taking nothing for granted. Continue to knit my heart with Yours so that my thoughts, words, and actions become a reflection of You and Your everlasting and unconditional love for us.
Be Encouraged! ❤
Leisa Wilkins Ministries
"Encouraging and Empowering you to become who God created you to be, God's Masterpiece, a Divine Original!"
Pastor | Author | Bible Teacher | Speaker | Encourager
www.leisawilkins.com