Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 19:1-7.
“And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the LORD. Then he sent Eliakim who was over the household with Shebna the scribe and the elders of the priests, covered with sackcloth, to Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz. They said to him, “Thus says Hezekiah, ‘This day is a day of distress, rebuke, and rejection; for children have come to birth and there is no strength to deliver. Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to reproach the living God, and will rebuke the words which the LORD your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that is left.’” So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. Behold, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a rumor and return to his own land. And I will make him fall by the sword in his own land.”’” 2 Kings 19:1-7.
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We see the humility of Hezekiah king of Judah. If a king can humble himself, how much more should we do so!
Hezekiah tore his clothes and covered himself with sackcloth. We do not necessarily need to tear our clothes or wear sackcloth to humble ourselves, but we can do other things to humble ourselves. Consider the following Scripture.
“12 “Yet even now,” declares the LORD,
“Return to Me with all your heart,
And with fasting, weeping and mourning;
13 And rend your heart and not your garments. …” Joel 2:12-13.
Hezekiah entered the house of the LORD. We do not need always to go to the house of the LORD to humble ourselves, but we can pick a place where we know, and God knows, that helps us to earnestly repent or otherwise humble ourselves.
Hezekiah sent his representatives to Isaiah the prophet asking only for “prayer for the remnant that is left.” How often our prayer is proud thinking how righteous we are and asking for things which show our pride!
Consider the following Scriptures on humility. Humility is not a one time action, but as some of these Scriptures show, it is a continual practice. As the concluding Scripture states, we put on a heart of humility.
“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” James 4:6.
“You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” 1 Peter 5:5.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7.
“The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.” Proverbs 15:33.
“When pride comes, then comes dishonor,
But with the humble is wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2.
“But the humble will inherit the land
And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.” Psalm 37:11.
“If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14.
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:3-7.
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:12-14.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 