The same inside and out?

2 Kings 20; Psalms 137–138; Hosea 13; Hebrews 2

Today’s readings are enlightening in how God works in the lives of those whose hearts do not match their lives. In the first reading, Hezekiah was a good king who did many good things yet at the end of his life he slid into pride and showed off his wealth to an enemy. God’s prophet rebuked him for his foolishness but this king said:

“The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good.” For he thought, “Why not, if there will be peace and security in my days?” (2 Kings 20:19)

The psalmist described the Lord’s attitude toward such selfish thinking: “For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.” (Psalm 138:6) Slipping into pride distances people from God.

The prophet Hosea also describe this two-faced attitude and what would happen to those with hidden and selfish motivations. It not only distances them from God but can mean worse judgment as well:

Though he may flourish among his brothers, the east wind, the wind of the Lord, shall come, rising from the wilderness, and his fountain shall dry up; his spring shall be parched; it shall strip his treasury of every precious thing. (Hosea 13:15)

Eventually the issues of the heart show up in words and actions. A person may put on a show of goodness, kindness and generosity but have a heart that uses those activities to manipulate people. Jesus, who knows the heart and considers it rather than pretense, said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” Fake goodness may fool people but it does not get past the all-knowing mind of God.

Why do we do it? Why try to look good to impress others or even God? Why hang on to pride and manipulation and to a heart filled with sinful and selfish stuff that eventually brings sorrow? Psychologists have all sorts of reasons based on nature and nurture. Some will add bad choices yet no one starts their day thinking, I’m going to do something horrible today. It seems spontaneous, out of control to pick I-wants over thoughtful actions toward others.

The Bible says this junk is rooted in a sin-nature that is determined to go its own way, yet why do that instead of listening to the wisdom of our heavenly creator God? The Bible adds that one more reason is deception. The god of this world, as Jesus said, is a liar and deceiver out to destroy all that is good for he has the ambition of being God, of taking over. Jesus defeated him at Calvary yet like a headless chicken (or snake), he continues to writhe and flop, not realizing that he is finished and that Jesus wins. In his ambition and animation, he deceives many into thinking that God does not care about us and that we can rule our own lives without Him. Thus pride takes over as do the characteristics of that liar and deceiver, replacing honesty and being real about who we are and what we want.

For all of this, Jesus came . . .

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery . . . . Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2: 14–15; 17–18)

Jesus never showed off like King Hezekiah, was never haughty, had no sinful thoughts never mind words or actions that smacked of selfishness. His purity withstood whatever Satan threw at Him. He told the truth, resisted all temptation, and came to save lives not to destroy them. He ate and drank with sinners, loved everyone, showed the heart of God in actions of kindness and healing, and eventually paid our penalty for sin by dying in our place. He defeated Satan’s power — the fear of death and judgment that has made hypocrites and selfish deception so prominent and so destructive in the hearts of humans.

APPLY: Because of Jesus, I have no reason for pride or boasting, no need to lie about who I am or my human frailties. I am loved beyond words, rich beyond money, free from bondage to sin, able to choose righteousness — something I could never do without Jesus. I am also without fear of dying because I know where I will be after that. No matter what the enemy throws at me, I know that the Lord God Almighty will either hide me, protect me, or enable me to stand against it. I also know that I cannot rule my life without Him even though I foolishly try to do it at times. He is Lord of all and reins me in, holds me up, and makes all things work together for my good. Following Jesus is wonderful because He is the One that makes following Him possible!