What happens the day after the miracle?
Have you ever worked hard to achieve something you really wanted?
When what we've been looking for arrives, it feels like we're on cloud nine.
Almost anesthetized, we can forget about the things around us and a feeling of pride can even take over our hearts.
This risk is more real than you might think. Have you ever heard the phrase "success has gone to your head"? After a great effort, it's natural to relax your defenses and not pay attention.
This is a pattern that is repeated in the Bible, for example, David, after a season of success, decided to relax a little more and enjoy his vacation, and that's when he succumbed to temptation.
Joshua, after the great victory at Jericho, relaxes and despises the challenge of the small town of Ayahu, not seeking God's direction and unable to see the flaw in his army.
One story that really caught my attention these days was that of Hezekiah. He was an incredibly dedicated king to God, he did what was right, so he prospered greatly in everything, until that day a great threat knocked on the door, it was the powerful army of the king of Assyria.
The threat could be summed up as "Our annihilation is in sight." After seeking the Lord and his prophet responding, thanks to heaven's intervention, they were delivered.
After these events, King Hezekiah fell ill and once again God spared his life. Can you imagine the relief and joy at these victories?
And what happened after these miraculous deeds. To receive such a great intervention from heaven is indifferent.
Probably a mixture of ecstasy at knowing that God is with you and is attending to you in such a way. An enthusiasm that can open the door to self-exaltation
That's exactly what happened.
But Hezekiah did not respond to the favor (mercy)that had been done to him; for his heart was lifted up (he allowed himself to be overcome by pride); therefore great wrath came upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 32:25
But Hezekiah humbled himself for the exaltation of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and the great wrath of Jehovah came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah. 2 Chronicles 32:26
But as for the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who were sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in that land, God forsook him to prove him, to know all that was in his heart. 2 Chronicles 32:31
God allowed Hezekiah to be tested. This event reminded me that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the desert to be tested, the tree of forbidden fruit was right in the middle of the garden, and God saw when the conversation with the serpent began.
What does this mean? That we are tested, to know what is really in our hearts (desire - in Hezekiah's case ostentation, trust in God when Jesus endured temptation, and in our obedience in Adam and Eve's case).
It's also happening today
Only those who have experienced the power of God know what it's like. You're in a state of bewilderment, amazement, you know that rationally there's no explanation and naturally it couldn't have been possible.
Your mouth fills with laughter and an indescribable joy takes over your heart. These experiences really do mark your life.
But that day passes, night falls and a new day dawns. And what happens the next day?
I've experienced a lot of intervention from heaven, I've seen many people receive intervention from God, some with miracles of healing, many with transformation of situations.
At other times, promises made by God through the mouth of a prophet who foretold what God would do in our lives, and it came true as he had said, in short, interventions in various ways, leaving no doubt that it was God who was making it happen.
Many of them have been marked in such a way that their lives have never been the same. They stand in faith and live seriously in God's presence, doing his will, living according to his precepts and values.
Unfortunately, others rejoiced at the moment of blessing and then forgot what the Lord of all the earth had done for them, continuing to live according to their own definition of right and wrong, without submitting to the Lord.
Both groups of people received the same intervention, so why do they react so differently? Because some people's hearts are filled with gratitude and recognition of who God is and how he should be revered. Others are indifferent.
As he entered a village, ten lepers came up to him. They stood some distance away and cried out in a loud voice: "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
When he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests". As they went, they were purified.
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, praising God with a loud voice.
He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan.
Jesus asked, "Weren't all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
Lucas 17:12-17
Of the ten lepers, only one returned, praising and thanking him for the miracle.
Choose to respond to the mercy you have experienced with gratitude, "with an acceptable attitude, with all reverence and awe" (Letter to Hebrews 12.29), After all, our God is a consuming fire.
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