II Chronicles 32:27-29- And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels; Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks. Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.
Here, we read of King Hezekiah, who obeyed and trusted the Lord, and the Lord blessed him very much! Hezekiah turned many in Judah and Israel back to the Lord. He brought back the passover, and tore down the idols. He really loved God!
We like to say that we love God. We go to church, pass out tracts, and sing His praises. But these are all outward appearances. God wants to know what's going on in your heart!
II CHronicles 32:31- Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
What we say and what we feel are sometimes two very different things. We can say we love God all we want, but God sees our hearts. He'll back off and let us have a go of it to see if we really do love him.
Hezekiah was visited by the ambassadors of Babylon. They had heard that he was sick, and that God healed him. So, they came with presents for Hezekiah.
Here's where we get to see what was inside of Hezekiah's heart! Did Hezekiah consult the Lord about these men? No. Did he brag on the Lord and His wonderful works? No.
II Kings 20:12-13- At that time Berodachbaladan, the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present unto Hezekiah: for he had heard that Hezekiah had been sick. And Hezekiah hearkened unto them, and shewed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold, and the spices, and the precious ointment, and all the house of his armour, and all that was found in his treasures: there was nothing in his house, nor in all his dominion, that Hezekiah shewed them not.
Hezekiah had pride in his heart. God had blessed him greatly, and it made his heart proud. Instead of bragging on God and how He had exalted Hezekiah, the king showed off the treasures that he had acquired. He was more proud of what he had than of how the Lord exalted and protected him.
God lets us come across things to see what is in our hearts. He did it to Abraham when he asked him to offer Isaac. Why would you think he wouldn't test you? It could be a job that he allows to come your way to see what is in your heart. It could be a person that he allows to enter your life to see what is in your heart. It could, perhaps, even be a possession that God uses.
Did you ever wonder how this great King Hezekiah had the most wicked of sons, King Manasseh? This boy was born after this incident. He was 12 years old when Hezekiah died and he began to reign. Was there something growing in Hezekiah's heart that came out during the raising of this boy that molded him into the wicked person that he was?
God knows what is in your heart. The reason he allows this is to let you see what is in your heart!
Genesis 22:11-12- And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
It's not easy to face that! Looking inside of ourselves and seeing what is really in there can be very scary! But, when we realize that we really do love the Lord, and we want to serve Him no matter the cost, we are sure to be blessed and used by God in a great way!
Genesis 22:15-18- And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
