Mortality Is A Blessing (?)

About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill. He prayed to the LORD, who healed him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud. So the LORD’s anger came against him and against Judah and Jerusalem. Then Hezekiah humbled himself and repented of his pride, as did the people of Jerusalem. So the LORD’s anger did not fall on them during Hezekiah’s lifetime. [2 Chronicles 32.24-26]

And then, just like that, Judah's good king who had shown complete humility and a repentant heart, fell into pride.

But then, he repented... Again.

Anyone who thinks they are above repentance is just kidding themselves. Hezekiah's story is one we should pay attention to. Just because he was mostly a model of humility before God does not mean he was perfect. However, even in his imperfection, we see his return to repentance. This is how we should be. Repentant. The Psalms say it like this:

The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. [Psalm 51.17]

Oddly enough, it was Hezekiah's desire to live that led to his pride. Instead of getting his affairs in order and preparing to die when he got deathly ill, Hezekiah cried out in prayer to God to live. Herein lies a hidden gem if we will but see it. Dying is not a bad thing for those who are God's. What was it that caused Hezekiah to want to live on? Let's see, Hezekiah himself tells us exactly what it was in a poem he wrote afterwards:

When King Hezekiah was well again, he wrote this poem: I said, “In the prime of my life, must I now enter the place of the dead? Am I to be robbed of the rest of my years?” [Isaiah 38.9-10]

If our lives are God's, then who are we to say how long we should live? How do we know when we should live or die?  How could Hezekiah know he was in the prime of his life? Only pride would make such a claim!

Why not just humbly rest in God for our every breath and just enjoy the days we are given realizing it is nothing compared to eternity with God in heaven? If God truly has a purpose for our lives, is it not utter foolishness to think He would not preserve our lives unto the fulfillment of that purpose? And if God is done with us on earth, is it not arrogant madness to wish to stay here? Is it not contradictory to give God credit either through our life or our death but then to take life-supporting medicine to live? Who controls life and death anyway? God or medicine?

This is important. God's people should know exactly where they stand regarding life and death. God's people should know exactly where they stand regarding who controls their life or death! Jesus demonstrated this to perfection:

No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” [John 10.18]

Jesus was totally submitted to the authority of God, and, only in that authority, was in control of whether He lived or died. He didn't need a doctor to tell Him whether He would live or die. He knew His purpose was the Cross and He embraced it - even though His life was seemingly cut short in His prime!

The problem with Christianity today is that we are grossly obsessed with living (just like those who are not Christians). We give no glory to God as our Life-giver and we certainly give no indication that heaven is eternally better than earth. Precious few believers do not fear death - what is wrong with us?

What is wrong is that "Christians" today do not really know God. If they did, they would rejoice in the opportunity to join Him. And furthermore, they would consider their own needs met by another human secondary to that human going to be with the LORD. Sure, we have emotions, but do we truly believe, or don't we?

When faced with death, Hezekiah slipped out of faith and into pride. God gave him his request to live on, but look what happened as a result. Hezekiah set Judah up for defeat (albeit after his death).

Mortality is a blessing when you think of it. For only through our mortality do we experience eternity. But the blessing of mortality is only "blessing" to those who are God's!

Father, help me consider what I believe about life and death. Help me encourage all to live for You and worry about nothing else.