Arrogant Laziness

Devotional:  May 16, 2012“Because of your raging against Me, And because your arrogance has come up to My ears, Therefore I will put My hook in your nose, And My bridle in your lips, And I will turn you back by the way which you came.” (2 Kings 19:28, NASB95)[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=“yes” overflow=“visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=“1_1” background_position=“left top” background_color=“” border_size=“” border_color=“” border_style=“solid” spacing=“yes” background_image=“” background_repeat=“no-repeat” padding=“” margin_top=“0px” margin_bottom=“0px” class=“” id=“” animation_type=“” animation_speed=“0.3” animation_direction=“left” hide_on_mobile=“no” center_content=“no” min_height=“none”][caption id=“” align=“alignleft” width=“137” caption=“Get Dr. White's book and DVD for only $12.50 for a limited time!”][/caption]When Sennacherib, King of Assyria, began to make threats toJudahafter he had already overtakenIsrael, the King of Judah became afraid.  In his fear King Hezekiah approached the Lord in prayer, begging for mercy by extolling the virtues of the Hebrew people and their good deeds in God’s name.The Lord was incensed that Assyria would haughtily lift up its eyes “against the Holy One of Israel” (2 Kings 19:22), and because they reproached the Lord in coming against His people.But then the Lord turned his anger upon His own people, saying “I know your sitting down and your going out and your coming in…” (2 Kings 19:27).  It is then He proclaims a coming judgment “because your arrogance has come up to My ears”.Here was a group of people thinking that because of their special status they would be protected against the enemy, even though they had turned their hearts from their protector.  This turning of their hearts was “arrogance”.This word has an interesting meaning.  Literally, the word is “ease” or “complacency.”  It is the picture of those who sit back, doing nothing, then expect God to work for them.  To these, the Word says “consider the ant!”“He who is at ease holds calamity in content” (Job 12:5).  “Woe to those who are at ease inZion” (Amos 6:1).  Both of these translations of “ease” are translations of the same word used as “arrogance” in 2 Kings 19:28.Could our lack of action in evangelism, missions, discipleship, prayer, and giving be interpreted as arrogant laziness?In His Grace,Dr. Randy White[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]