Complicated?

In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow God’s laws and commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful. [2 Chronicles 31.21]

I know there are many who simply refuse to "connect the dots" between pure devotion to God and blessings, but this passage is one of countless references that prove otherwise.

Why wouldn't we spend all our time and theological energy to support verses like this one instead of the other way around? Why do we have volume upon volume of writings to discourage believers from believing that God wants to bless His children, and instead to encourage them that curses may indeed be blessings? What is up with that? I will tell you. It is nothing but human pride to deny God's Word by embracing man's innocence. Man is NOT innocent - not a one of us. We have all sinned and are qualified for every curse of the Law except for the work of Jesus on our behalf. Our only "elevating" element is obedience - the obedience of faith. That faith however is more than enough to place us in the redemptive shadow of Christ's Cross allowing us to enjoy every blessing for obedience found in the Law of God (Deuteronomy 28. 1-14).

Hezekiah (and others) were successful because they sought God wholeheartedly. Would God mislead us with His Word? Would God be vague or deceptive with His Word? NO! He has always warned that sin brings punishment and death! He has always wooed His people to obedience and faith that brings blessings. And yet, people persist to try to explain why bad things happen to good people! Just stop already! Will we continue to be so proud as to deny God's Word by demanding our innocence when the Bible says we don't even know our own deceptive hearts?

Enough is enough. Religion is a proud modification of man to console him in his fallen condition rather than to discern the persistent presence of sin. Religion says, "you are okay." God's Word says, "you are not okay - you need God" And to help man understand his need for God, God presented blessings and curses to guide man all along the way. And, what does man do? He denies the meaning of the very natural elements God uses to call him out of their judgment (weather, health, etc.).

Curses are not random - they come because of sin. Period. Nothing is worse than a kid caught red-handed who denies his disobedience. What a picture of the Church today. With jelly all over our faces, we blatantly deny that we've been in the jelly jar!

God help us!

Father, Your Word is really only complicated when we refuse to accept our inherent guilt. May we flee from our own pride, humble ourselves before You, and learn to walk in Your success and blessings!