“However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart” (2 Chronicles 32:31)  

Hezekiah proudly showed off the wealth of the kingdom of Judah to the representatives of Babylon, the nation that would soon plunder the riches and exile God’s people. Pride is only good if it’s pride in what God does. God withdrew His leading from Hezekiah to find out what was in his heart. Ordinarily, “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1). Just before this happened, Scripture records, “Hezekiah had very great riches and honor ... for God had given him very much property” (2 Chronicles 32:27-30). Soon, rebellious Judah would find out, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away” (Job 1:21). 

 Sometimes God withdraws His grace from a saint. When this happens, there’s enough sin left in his heart, to make him think and act like the worst of sinners. If God leaves him to himself, even if he was once hot in Christ, he will cool down like the church of Laodicea into sickening lukewarmness: the one who was sound in faith would become white with the leprosy of false doctrine; the one who once walked with Christ with integrity, would stagger with the drunkenness of evil passion. 

 Like the moon, we borrow our light; we’re bright when grace shines on us, but darkness when the Sun of Righteousness withdraws Himself. Therefore, let’s always depend on Christ, and never give God a reason to test us. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). 

 “Oh Lord, keep us in our youth, lest we become foolish and presumptuous; keep us in our old age, lest we become conceited in our wisdom; keep us when we come to die, lest, at the very last, we should deny You. Keep us living, keep us dying, keep us laboring, keep us suffering, keep us fighting, keep us resting, keep us moment-by-moment, amen”.