Put Aside

It's not when we are surrounded by a warm circle of friends or engaged in the busy activities of the day that we know what is really going wrong in our hearts. So often these things serve as a distraction to the evident signs and symptoms that we know our heart is not close to the Lord as it should.

Likewise, many in ministry believe it's possible to serve God out of form and function but they have long since lost the passion and heart for the things of God. Almost by spiritual osmosis, since they minister in the church somehow makes them spiritual and live.

Until God puts you aside to speak about something very deeply embedded in your heart.

King Hezekiah was miraculously healed but made a fatal choice. 2 Chronicles 32:31 says, "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. (NIV). God was not on tour that day along with the envoys that swept into the city to see things they should have not seen. He left Hezekiah alone.

It says, "Hezekiah received the envoys and showed them all that was in his storehouses--the silver, the gold, the spices and the fine olive oil--his armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them. (2 Kings 20:13, NIV).

Centuries later Babylon destroyed Jerusalem. Though it's not recorded in the Bible, I'm certain they recorded vulnerable places in the city and surveyed the wealth that one day they would seize.

God used this opportunity to try or test Hezekiah's heart. He wanted to teach Hezekiah a lesson. Evidently, there was a deep root of pride in this man who was impressed by another nation to take interest in his well-being and kingly status.

But what was more troubling is Hezekiah's response to the prophet who warned that this nation would be overtaken by them one day. Then Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "This message you have given me from the LORD is good." For the king was thinking, "At least there will be peace and security during my lifetime.' (2 Kings 20:19, NLT).

Hezekiah's attitude was careless, unconcerned and selfish. And this is why God has to put aside some of us to show what is really at the heart of the matter.

And He uses silence to put some of us aside. He just gets up and walks into another room of our lives.

But if you still your soul long enough, I'm sure you will hear those quiet admonishing whispers.

Will you heed?