Today’s readings are 2 Kings 20, Isaiah 38-40, Psalm 68, and 1 Corinthians 11.
In 2 Kings 20 and Isaiah 38-39 we read about God healing King Hezekiah, king of the southern kingdom of Judah, from an illness which would have led to his death. Shortly thereafter Babylon sent envoys to see him because they heard of his healing. Hezekiah himself says he showed them all that was in his house (2 Kings 20:15 and Isaiah 39:4). God was upset about this and said as a result his lineage would be taken captive by the Babylonian empire which we know did later occur. Why was God displeased?
King Hezekiah did not glorify God through his healing and give credit to God. He missed his opportunity to tell these pagan visitors about the one and only true God of the Universe who saved him. Instead, he showed them his “stuff.” And on top of that, he did not give God credit for providing that either.
How often do we just show people who don’t know Jesus our “stuff,” instead of showing them Him? How often do we not give him credit for all He’s brought us through..most importantly saving us from our sins on the cross and giving us eternal life with Him in Heaven as a result?
In 2018, I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis which would have eventually led to paralysis in my legs and loss of the use of both hands. By the grace of God, 5 surgeries between 2019 and 2021 stopped the progression. Not only that, but through a connection from my sister-in-law, Kim, to her sister, Diane, I was able to find a surgeon in Pittsburgh who fixed my condition without a fusion of my spine which is the only common treatment and what Mayo even recommend. A fusion in my late 30s would have not only led to loss of range of motion, but almost certainly more complications and fusions if I live to anywhere near life expectancy. While I still have some symptoms, most noticeable atrophy, and some minor loss of motor functions in my hand, I was told by a physician friend how blessed I am to even be able to type this right now, let alone throw a ball and play catch with my kids. Born at a different time, I would have been just like the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5) or the man with withered hand Jesus healed (Mark 3:1-6). This is not to even mention yet that my dream was to be an orthodontist, but at the very last minute something (I know now it was God) caused me to change my major to finance when completing my application to the University of Illinois and led me to my career today. If not for God’s provision to lead me on a different career path, I could be wondering right now what to do for a career, not to mention possibly experiencing major financial hardship or at a minimum financial change for my family. God has truly blessed me and my family.
In reflecting, I realized recently when sharing my story when someone notices I have trouble opening something or I struggle doing something else requiring a find motor skill, I don’t always share as much of my story or always give as much glory to God in my shortened and rushed version as I should. I need to be reminded to show people Jesus and how He’s healed and me through my story and weakness (and most importantly saved me from my sins)..not just my “stuff” like Hezekiah.
2 Corinthians 12:9
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
Because of Christ…