Be Ready To Apologize

“Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.” (2Ch 32:26 AV)

 

Hezekiah was one of the best kings Judah ever had.  Perhaps behind David, Solomon, and his own grandson, Hezekiah did more for the spiritual welfare of his nation than all other kings but the aforementioned.  Hezekiah cleansed the land of all types of pagan worship which his father and grandfather introduced and promoted.  His predecessors intermarried with the house of Ahab and Jezebel.  Jezebel was the daughter of a pagan king to the north.  It was this relationship that brought the wrath of God by the Assyrian army on the ten northern tribes during the reign of Hezekiah in Judah.  It was primarily because of the wrath of God that Hezekiah brought revival to his nation.  God blessed him and Judah because of their repentance and also prospered them financially.  It was this prosperity that resulted in personal and national pride in the hearts of Hezekiah and his people.  So much so that he let his guard down and invited Judah’s eventual captors into the riches of Judah so that he and Judah might brag about all they had.  They did not give God the glory.  They failed to brag on God.  The wrath of God fell on Hezekiah.  He was told to get his house in order.  Then we read of the above reaction of this king.  He humbled himself and all the people.  This stayed the wrath of God on Judah.  The key to a proper relationship with God is that we walk in obedience.  If we fail, the key is humility.  To be intimately close to God requires humility and repentance.

It is hard to admit when one fails.  But it truly feels good afterward.  We see a dearth of this kind of humility as of late.  Our leaders are sending the wrong example.  No one does anything wrong anymore.  No one apologizes.  No one admits it was all their fault.  Passing the buck is so common, we have sore arms.  This reluctance to admit one’s own fault has resulted in failed relationships and extrapolated out to failed nations.  Humility is absolutely necessary for a relationship to work.  Seeing as we human beings are not perfect, humility and apology are natural, even though uncommon.  For a husband and wife to dwell in peace and intimacy, “I am sorry” had to be quick on the lips.  For a child and parent to be close, humility must be in both parties’ hearts.  “I am sorry, that was my fault” is seldom never heard.  In fact, I can remember the last time someone said that to me after an unintentional accident occurred.  I was at the grocer’s and going up and down aisles.  Meaning to turn into an aisle, a lady rapidly came out.  She saw that she had cut me off in the middle of my turn and profusely apologized.  “Nothing to be sorry for, Ma’am.  You have a wonderful Thanksgiving.”  No one does that anymore.  Everyone is entitled and no one is sorry for anything.

That will not work with God.  God knows what is on our hearts and He is not our equal.  Hats off to Hezekiah for recognizing he has worked too hard and sacrificed too much for the pride of his heart to ruin his relationship with God.  Hezekiah may have had faults.  He occasioned the judgment of God on Judah.  But at least he knew he could not go on with God without some humility.  It is obvious this was his nature.   When he humbled himself, the people of Jerusalem did the same.  The challenge lies at our feet.  Will we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God so that we might walk with Him again in obedience and faith?  Humility does not come easy.  There is honesty and anguish of heart that precedes it.  Humility is the missing ingredient to an intimate walk with God that can come no other way.  Therefore, when the prophet comes and reveals to us the secrets of the heart, be quick to run towards humility.  Not to escape the chastening of God.  Rather, to have a relationship with God deeper than we ever have had before.