Devotional - Kingdom Builders Christian Center Church

Sifted for Service

God uses challenging circumstances to sift our heart, exposing sin so that we might grow in holiness.

2 Chronicles 32:1-31

In one way or another, we are all being sifted by the circumstances that God allows to come our way. Sifting is never comfortable, but it exposes the “chaff” in our life—in other words, anything worthless—and gives us the opportunity to deal with it.

King Hezekiah was given such a chance at the pinnacle of his astonishing rule. He had just witnessed the Lord bringing about a spectacular victory over Sennacherib and the Assyrian hosts. After that, God healed him from a mortal illness, and then Hezekiah was also offered a supernatural sign that actually drove the sun’s shadow 10 steps backward on the stairway (Isaiah 38:5; Isaiah 38:8).

On the heels of these miracles, emissaries from Babylon approached Hezekiah with flattery. Would he give in to pride and be consumed with an inflated view of himself? Scripture tells us, “God left him alone only to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart” (2 Chron. 32:31). As a result of this test, the chaff of self-importance was revealed.

Think about your own life and ask the Father to reveal any chaff. Though the process can be uncomfortable, remember that the Lord is guiding and interceding for you. Furthermore, the winnowing tools are in His hand, so be assured they will be used only for your ultimate good (Luke 3:17; Luke 21:18).

Amen!