HIS HEART WAS LIFTED UP

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

APRIL 26

 

2 Chronicles 32:25

But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit

done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there

was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

 
It swelled with pride, and was lifted up with vanity.
 
Yet he was a good man, and had just received a remarkable proof of God’s distinguishing love.
 
We are by nature so proud, that we are always in danger of being unduly elevated if God favours us; or of taking offence at God’s dealings if he please to try us.
 
The strongest temptations often succeed the sweetest manifestations; therefore we ought to be on our guard.
 
There is nothing that God hates more than pride, he cannot tolerate it; and yet it is the very thing to which we are most prone.
 
A proud heart is sure to be unfruitful; only the humble bring forth the fruits of righteousness.
 
Pride generates fretfulness, discontent, envy, ill-will, hardness of heart, and a thousand other evils; let us beware lest our hearts be lifted up, for if they are, God will be sure to pull them down, and the means, as in Hezekiah’s case, may be very severe.
 
If Satan can make us proud, he will soon make us prayerless; if we become prayerless, we shall soon become careless; and if careless, we put ourselves into his power.
 
Let us consider what we were before we received grace, what we might have been but for grace.
 

Jesus, to us the grace impart.

Which alone shone so bright in thee;

The humble, meek, and lowly heart,

From pride and envy free.

 
James Smith