Mr. Big Head

Rev. 4: 11 You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power.

Hezekiah was on cloud nine. Ooh, life was good. Just a few weeks ago he was so sick. In fact, he knew he was going to die because God had told him so. But now here he was, healed by a miracle from God. God had even turned back time to give him a sign. Was he special, or was he special? And now, sitting in his parlour, were some of the world’s leading scientists and dignitaries from the greatest country in the world. They had come to see him, the one who was so honoured that time could be turned back just for him. They were beginning to understand that Israel, God’s chosen people were not pyaah-pyaah, dibby-dibby people (meaning: unimportant or insignificant).

Dressed to impress and being most hospitable, Hezekiah gave them the royal treatment. They must respect Israel. They must know that God’s people are the best. He had the royal chefs feed them the best food, let them stay at the palace and enjoy the royal five-star (make that ten-star) treatment and brought Israel’s best musicians and entertainers. And my! They were impressed! They praised Israel and its king. Before they left, he gave them a personal tour of the temple and the palaces, the residential areas, the bank and the treasury, the resorts and parks – the best of Israel. They returned with a new impression of Israel, God’s people.

But there was one Person who was not impressed: God. He sent the prophet Isaiah with a message to King Hezekiah: “Hey Hezekiah, you have been too proud and big-headed. Also, you have not been very smart with your showing off. These guys are Babylonians. Now that you have shown them all your riches they are going to come back one day and take them all away”.

You see, the healing and the turning back of time was a chance for Hezekiah to glorify the God of miracles. All the gold, silver and cool stuff was a chance to glorify God who is kind and blesses his children. But Hezekiah chose to show off and to glorify himself. Isn’t it just like us? We like to impress others with our brightness, money, fancy gadgets or good looks and forget that all these are gifts from a loving Heavenly Father; that He deserves the glory. When these things attract others to us, we should then point them to God.

Dear Lord, keep me humble, I pray, and help me to remember that you alone are worthy of our praise, in Jesus’ name, amen.