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Day 127 2 Chronicles 32:24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the LORD: and he spoke unto him, and he gave him a sign. 25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore, there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Notwithstanding, Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. Are you grateful when things go right, or do you take them as a matter of course and think nothing of them? Hezekiah became sick and expected to die. Yet when he prayed, God spared him and told him he would live many years yet. 2 Kings 20:1 In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, “Thus says the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.” 2 Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, 3 “I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight.” And Hezekiah wept sore. 4 And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 5 “Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus says the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD. 6 “And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.” 7 And Isaiah said, “Take a lump of figs.” And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered. 8 And Hezekiah said unto Isaiah, “What shall be the sign that the LORD will heal me, and that I shall go up into the house of the LORD the third day?” 9 And Isaiah said, “This sign shalt thou have of the LORD, that the LORD will do the thing that he hath spoken: shall the shadow go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?” 10 And Hezekiah answered, “It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees: nay, but let the shadow return backward ten degrees.” 11 And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the LORD: and he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz. Hezekiah was grateful to God for healing him, yet he lifted himself up and didn’t give God the credit for healing him. God’s wrath came on him and the people of Judah and Jerusalem. Hezekiah humbled himself before God and God took away His wrath from him and the people. As Christians, you know pride destroys your relationship with God. You can overlook simple things as a good day when nothing goes wrong to a major event in your life turning around for good. You forget to give God praise for what He did for you and you become callous to God’s provision and promises in your life. Pride is Satan’s tool to turn your eyes away from God and onto yourself. What did James say? James 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. You are here because God created you. You accepted Jesus as your Savior because it was God’s will for you. Everything you have is because God gave it to you. When trouble comes your way, you need to pray and ask God to deliver you according to His promise to deliver, protect, and provide for your needs. Keep an attitude of humility before God. When you humble yourself instead of lifting yourself up, God will lift you up and give you everything you need. He gave Hezekiah a sign and fifteen years added to his life. What will He do for you when you praise Him instead of taking Him for granted? Let’s pray: Father, You are the source of blessing in my life. Help me praise You and not take You for granted. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 17 October 2021 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay.