Our home needs new shingles and we’re showing our age as we make our decision. We really don’t need 50-year shingles at this point of our lives. Thirty-year shingles will do just fine. That’s a great plan for the immediate. Not so wonderful if you’re the next homeowner taking on future roofing responsibilities.
Only caring about the immediate was King Hezekiah’s mentality. After receiving a miraculous healing and the gift of fifteen more years of life, he showed the envoys from Babylon all his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them (2 Kings 20:13b).
The Lord was not pleased. He sent Isaiah to proclaim punishment. He told the king that a day is coming when all of the palace possessions and even some of Hezekiah’s own descendants will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left.
What horrendous news! Surely Hezekiah would weep bitter tears like he did when he was initially told to put his house in order, because he would die. Not so much. This was his response: “The word of the LORD you have spoken is good” Hezekiah replied. For he thought, “Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?” (2 Kings 20:19) Was this humble acceptance of God’s plan or selfish joy that at least it wouldn’t take place while he was still alive?
As Christians we have received the miracle of being rescued from our sins and given the gift of forever life with Jesus. We are His treasured possession! What joy!
What’s our response to this good news? Do we value our priceless treasure? Are we eager to be His messengers and share the good news with as many people as possible? Or are we selfishly focused on the immediate, content that we have what we need for our lifetime and beyond? Do we think, “At least I have the Message”?
Oh, sisters, this must not be! From childhood to old age, we must be on mission! Let’s not sit smug and satisfied that we’re in God’s family. We must tell others! Even when we are old and gray, we must tell the next generation about Jesus. Until our last breath we must proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! (Psalm 22:31)
Send Me: Are you on mission as His messenger?
