Christian Living

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It was his finest hour
Soon as a he was crowned
He did as no other
Before him or after
Pleasing God, like David
His great-grand father
A re-born king of Judah
Who dared be different
What a moment of pride
When he was enthroned!

Removing pagan shrines
Smashing sacred pillars
Knocking down Asherah poles
Breaking down brazen serpent
Now an object of worship
He was outstanding
Uncompromising
Worth emulating
A man after God’s heart.
A man who brought revival.


He remained faithful
In obedience, careful
In integrity, truthful
In exploits, fruitful
God’s presence was full
Overflowing, bountiful.

But then from Assyria came
The arrow that brought him down
the moment of his weakness
afraid of invaders, marauders
he moved for a dangerous truce
appeasement, settlement.


Silver and gold were given
in exchange for peace
the house of God was robbed
and disrobed of its gold
the temple and doorpost
were laid bare from the loot.

But you don’t do deals with the devil
Give him an inch and he’ll want a mile
Give him an ounce and he’ll want a ton
Sure enough, he came for more
Until the penny dropped off the eyes
Of the king who remembered his roots.

It is often said, ‘It is not how you start but how you finish that matters.’ What a glorious start Hezekiah had! What a testimony that there was none like him- before and after him.
How proud God must have been when he became king of Judah!

When Assyria invaded Judah, King Hezekiah recapitulated to the extent of stripping the house of God – the doors and the doorposts- of its gold, to appease the invaders. Surely, this was a moment of weakness when he forgot whose he was and where his strength and protection came from. It was like Peter walking on water in obedience and faith in the Lord’s command,‘ Come’, and sinking a few moments later when he took his eyes off the Lord and focused on the wind and storm around him.

Typically after the appeasement, the enemy came for more. This is a picture of what happens in real life in our spiritual warfare. We often start very well and think because we have started well it will be rosy all the time. Despite God’s presence, there will be enemy attacks so that we don’t become too comfortable. It is also to show us our weakness. We can never rely on our strength to win this battle. The battle is the Lord’s. The moment we take our eyes off Him we will begin to sink like King Hezekiah. We are also reminded that compromise leads to demise but faith in God pays in the end.


Father, I come to You now, in the precious Name of Jesus, My Saviour and my Lord- my Hiding Place.
Thank You, Lord, for saving me, renewing me, planting my feet on your rock of salvation. Lord, I thank You for the privilege to put my hands to this plough. I pray, Lord, that I will not look back but forget the past and forge ahead, press on for the mark of the price of my high-calling in Jesus. Help me, Lord, to look unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of my faith. O that I will endure my cross like He endured His cross. O that I will not go back to my vomit but drink always from the well of salvation. O that I will not be ignorant of the devices of the enemy who will want me to compromise to trigger my demise. Help me, Lord, to follow hard after You regardless of the attacks of the enemy. My confidence is in You. You are my Healer, Strength, my Source, my Shield, My Shepherd, Shelter, my fortress, and I hide under the shadow of Your wings. In the name of Jesus, amen.

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