Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Hear the word of the Lord Almighty: The time will surely come when everything in your palace, and all that your predecessors have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord. (Isaiah 39:5-6)
Pride is dangerous. Without realizing what he’s doing, the proud person makes decision based on the flawed assumption that he or she will be able to overcome any adversity that comes along. The proud person also fails to see the ends of his actions because he’s spent his time being so self-absorbed that he doesn’t stop to think through ramifications.
Hezekiah was a good king for Judah, but he had a pride issue that manifested itself in the form of showing the envoys from Babylon all of his nation’s treasure. Apparently it didn’t occur to him that he was simply enticing others to attack Judah and plunder its storehouses. Such is the danger of pride. The proud person rarely thinks of these things as he is simply consumed with how great he is.
Isaiah confronted Hezekiah with a prophecy that should have destroyed his ego, but it didn’t. Instead of being grieved over what his children and grandchildren would suffer as a result of his own sin, Hezekiah found pleasure in knowing that the kingdom would be safe during his lifetime. He didn’t care about the legacy he left; he only cared about himself.
Have you thought about your legacy? What will you leave behind? Will people suffer from your poor choices? Do you have a heart of pride or a heart of service? What you leave behind will be affected by your heart now. It’s important to consider because there are those who will come after you, and they will be either be blessed by or be suffering from your choices and your heart.
Father, help me to have a heart of humility and service that seeks out the good of others. Keep me from being consumed with pride and allowing arrogance to drive my behavior. Instead, let me recognize that everything I have – whether material, spiritual, or mental – comes from You as a generous gift.
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