But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart (2 Chronicles 32:31 NIV).
Hezekiah was a godly king who sought God with all his heart. There came a time when he became ill and God told him that he would certainly die.
Yet when he prayed God added fifteen years to his life. This grant of life was confirmed by a miracle when the shadow of the sun went back ten steps on the stairway.
On hearing of this envoys came from Babylon. Then Hezekiah showed them all the treasures that was in his palace and his storehouses. He did this because of his pride.
In this context the most important thing we need to note are the words, “God left him.” We have always heard it preached that God will never leave us nor forsake us. But here we read that God left Hezekiah.
This is a very unusual thing especially since it came after God hearing his prayer and giving him an extension of life. Its meaning is clear. God wanted to know everything that was in his heart.
This is God’s testing. During these times God deliberately moves away from us. We will not feel His presence or get any guidance in the matter at hand.
We might pray. Yet it would seem that all these prayers are gone unheard. We are left on our own to take decisions. God is seeking whether we will make godly choices in accordance to God’s will even when His guidance and presence are absent.
This is a testing that is very tough. Hezekiah failed this test though he repented later. God through such testing is probing the real motives of our heart. Blessed is the man who passes this test.
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