‏ 2 Chronicles 32

* The invasion of Sennacherib, His defeat. (1-23) Hezekiah's

sickness, His prosperous reign, and death. (24-33)

1-23 Those who trust God with their safety, must use proper

means, else they tempt him. God will provide, but so must we

also. Hezekiah gathered his people together, and spake

comfortably to them. A believing confidence in God, will raise

us above the prevailing fear of man. Let the good subjects and

soldiers of Jesus Christ, rest upon his word, and boldly say,

Since God is for us, who can be against us? By the favour of

God, enemies are lost, and friends gained. 24-33 God left Hezekiah to himself, that, by this trial and his

weakness in it, what was in his heart might be known; that he

was not so perfect in grace as he thought he was. It is good for

us to know ourselves, and our own weakness and sinfulness, that

we may not be conceited, or self-confident, but may always live

in dependence upon Divine grace. We know not the corruption of

our own hearts, nor what we shall do if God leaves us to

ourselves. His sin was, that his heart was lifted up. What need

have great men, and good men, and useful men, to study their own

infirmities and follies, and their obligations to free grace,

that they may never think highly of themselves; but beg

earnestly of God, that he will always keep them humble! Hezekiah

made a bad return to God for his favours, by making even those

favours the food and fuel of his pride. Let us shun the

occasions of sin: let us avoid the company, the amusements, the

books, yea, the very sights that may administer to sin. Let us

commit ourselves continually to God's care and protection; and

beg of him never to leave us nor forsake us. Blessed be God,

death will soon end the believer's conflict; then pride and

every sin will be abolished. He will no more be tempted to

withhold the praise which belongs to the God of his salvation.