APPROPRIATELY
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 31-33

"About that time, Hezekiah became deathly ill. He prayed to the Lord, who healed him and gave him a miraculous sign. But Hezekiah did not respond appropriately to the kindness shown him, and he became proud. So the Lord's anger came against him and against Jerusalem and Judah." 2 Chronicles 32:24-25 NLT

Appropriately- especially suitable or compatible; fitting.

Here is what has happened...

Hezekiah was making great changes in Israel. He was leading to people back to God. He was restoring the Temple. He was protecting what was God's.

Hezekiah saw God do a mighty miracle in defeating the enemy armies and in seeing God respond to his prayers.

In the midst of the changes he had to make...

In the shadows of enemy armies....

In the social reform he stirred up...

He made wise choices. He pressed on. He honored God.

It's when success and esteem and great wealth were laid at his feet that he stumbled in his faith.

Hezekiah became proud, not humbled.

He didn't respond appropriately to all God had done for him.

He became comfortable, content and completely enamored by all the attention.

We've all had 'Hezekiah moments', days, weeks, seasons. Times when we become so complimentary of all we've accomplished God is left out of our conversations. We are too busy patting ourselves on the back to praise and honor and thank the One who made it all possible.

We must constantly and consistently be appropriate in our praise!