“I’ll worry about that tomorrow, for tomorrow is another day.”  In the movie “Gone With the Wind”, the main character, Scarlet O’Hara, oldest daughter to a plantation owner in the south during the Civil War, said this more than once.  So much was going on around her that her coping mechanism was to put off the worry of impending outcomes until a time when she could better deal with the devastation around her.   

When I am overcome with a situation, I have repeated this line in jest to Randy, who knows what I’m really thinking.  It is time to talk with God and see what HE wants us to be and do in challenging circumstances.  For me, it is not a process of procrastinating worry like Scarlet, it is much more than that. Given our story of Hezekiah, it should be a time to be still and chill, know God, ask Him what He wants, before moving forward in our next steps of the situation before us.

Hezekiah, feeling good after being healed miraculously, has made a huge blunder.  Full of pride, Hezekiah has just shown is future enemy every nook and cranny of the palace and grounds.  Way to go, Hezekiah.  Isaiah, the wise prophet of God, speaks God’s message to him and tells him what he has provided for the enemy…the way in with a display of the spoils they will take!  What is Hezekiah’s response?  In Scarlet O’Hara fashion, I can almost hear the same Scarlet tone of voice as Hezekiah delivers his response, “I’ll worry about that tomorrow, for tomorrow is another day.”  Okay, he didn’t say exactly that but he implied it when he thought, “Surely this won’t happen in my lifetime…”

Isaiah 39, The Message

There Will Be Nothing Left

Sometime later, King Merodach-baladan son of Baladan of Babylon sent messengers with greetings and a gift to Hezekiah. He had heard that Hezekiah had been sick and was now well.

² Hezekiah received the messengers warmly. He took them on a tour of his royal precincts, proudly showing them all his treasures: silver, gold, spices, expensive oils, all his weapons—everything out on display. There was nothing in his house or kingdom that Hezekiah didn’t show them.

³ Later the prophet Isaiah showed up. He asked Hezekiah, “What were these men up to? What did they say? And where did they come from?”

Hezekiah said, “They came from a long way off, from Babylon.”

⁴ “And what did they see in your palace?”

“Everything,” said Hezekiah. “I showed them the works, opened all the doors and impressed them with it all.”

^5-7 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, “Now listen to this Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies: I have to warn you, the time is coming when everything in this palace, along with everything your ancestors accumulated before you, will be hauled off to Babylon. God says that there will be nothing left. Nothing. And not only your things but your sons. Some of your sons will be taken into exile, ending up as eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”

⁸ Hezekiah replied to Isaiah, “Good. If God says so, it’s good.” Within himself he was thinking, “But surely nothing bad will happen in my lifetime. I’ll enjoy peace and stability as long as I live.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Listen to God!  At this time, Babylon was not a great world power, and few people would have thought that Assyria would one day collapse and be replaced by Babylon. Of course, God knew, but Hezekiah did not seek his guidance. When God gives us warning about impending danger, seek His wisdom, hear His voice above all other voices and obey what He says!

Seek wise council and listen to their advice!  Certainly Hezekiah should not have shown his visitors all his wealth, but pride made him do it. After a time of severe suffering, sometimes we feel so good just to feel good that we get off guard and fail to watch and pray. The king was basking in fame and wealth and apparently neglecting his spiritual life. Hezekiah was safer as a sick man in bed than as a healthy man on the throne. Had he consulted first with Isaiah, the king would have avoided blundering as he did. 

“Pride goes before a fall”—every time.  (Proverbs 16:18) Oh Hezekiah…Oh Susan…

Even the greatest and most godly of the Lord’s servants can become proud and disobey God, so we must pray for Christian leaders that they will stay humble before their Master. But if any of His servants do sin, the Lord is willing to forgive when they sincerely repent and confess to Him (1 John 1:9). 

Don’t put off worry for tomorrow, for tomorrow might not be another day.  Do what you must do today.  Be still and pray.  Repent of pride, believe God and what He says, and then quickly obey.  There is no other way to peace in difficult circumstances.  God is greater than our circumstances.  Always.

Consider the lives of our beloved. There is a difference between totally ignoring the problem and being overwhelmed by the problem.  Apathy is as dangerous as going to war.  Our loved ones who are lost to the world are part of the spoils of war with the enemy.  How deep is our concern for them?  Are we putting off telling them about the salvation of God for another day? 

Oh Lord,

We are such a pride-filled people at times.  I repent of trying to do life by myself, thinking I am in charge.  I am laughing at myself right now at the thought of this way of living!  How ridiculous when You know what lies ahead and what circumstances we will face.  You are preparing us even now with strength, confidence that come from you alone, hope for eternity all wrapped in your forever love, mercy and grace. Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Help us to love like you love us.  I won’t worry about it tomorrow because I know You already have the solutions.

In Jesus Name, Amen