In My Days
When Isaiah prophesied to Hezekiah what the Babylonians would do to his house and his sons, Hezekiah replied, “Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days”? His response reveals a selfish attitude that as long as I have peace and truth in my days, it’s okay. It’s like he thought, “I’ve got it good now; I can’t concern myself with what’s going to happen after I’m gone”.
He expressed no concern that the country of Babylon from which the ambassadors had come would one day destroy his kingdom and take the inhabitants captive. He took no responsibility for the future affect of the decision he made to show them all the treasures of his kingdom. He didn’t seem to care.
Contrast his attitude with Josiah’s in 2 Ki 22:18-20. When Josiah heard that he would be gathered to his grave in peace and that he wouldn’t see all the evil that God would bring upon Judah, he didn’t respond like Hezekiah. Instead, he did everything in his power to “perform the works of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord”, 2 Ki 23:24.
According to 2 Ki 23:25, there was no king like Josiah who turned to the Lord with all his heart, soul, and might, according to the law of Moses. As it turns out, the Lord didn’t turn from his wrath, 2 Ki 23:26, but Josiah did all he could do to clean up the mess that had provoked the Lord to anger.
We have to be careful as Bible believers not to have Hezekiah’s attitude about the future of our church or our country. We are, to this day, able to lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty. But our children and grandchildren don’t have this assurance. Their generation could likely face the wrath of God.
All the immorality, indecency, and godlessness in our country will certainly bring the judgment of God. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God”, Ps 9:17.
You say, “If I’m going to be like Josiah, what can I do”?
Pray – 1 Tim 2:1-3. We are to intercede for those in authority.
Preach – Ps 9:17. We can’t let our people forget God.
Purify – 1 Pet 4:17. Judgment must begin at the house of God.
Propose – Prov 16:33. Vote. Cast your ballot.
Don’t be like Hezekiah and say, “Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days”? Think about your kids and grandkids. Don’t squander all that was left to you like Hezekiah did.
We must maintain Josiah’s attitude that we will do all that we can to perform the words of the Lord till he comes. Whether he decides to judge us is his business; we must do ours. Decide that in my days I’m going to be a Josiah, not a Hezekiah.