2 Kings 18:6
“For he clung to the LORD; he did not desist from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses.”
This is referring to Hezekiah, king of Judah. What a wonderful description of someone, especially a king. He clung to the Lord. That’s a unique description. I can’t recall hearing it before in the bible. We all have a collection of beliefs. Some are very casual. Others are more prominent. To cling is referring to a much greater degree. There is quite an intensity.
David was a man after God’s heart (I Samuel 13:14). This is even more admirable than “cling to”. The latter may be out of fear or a deficit. While going after one’s heart seems more sincere. I can’t be too hard on Hezikiah, as Jesus said, “Blessed are those that are poor in spirit”, (Matthew 5:3). We are all at a deficit. God blesses the one who admits it and comes to Him.
Paul expounds on the concept of “poor in spirit” in 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10, “And He has said to me, ‘“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”‘ As we grow in Christ, we learn how weak and susceptible to temptation and error that we are. We become more dependent on His grace, mercy and power. Some may say that we are becoming dependent on Him? That we should be self sufficient. If it were dependent on a drug or something that harmed us, then I would understand. We were created to be aligned with God. It’s our purpose. We are actually becoming what we were are supposed to be.
I gave a mild criticism of Hezekiah. I imagine “cling to” as a child clinging to a parents leg for fear of something. I withdraw that. While I do see being a person “after God’s heart” as better, to cling to God is never bad. If He wants us to be more faith dependent, the He will do that. But to spend one’s life clinging to God is great.
His mothers name is mentioned in the passage, Abi. That is often where some get their faith. I know I had a god fearing mother. I was a sinner in my youth, but I feared God. At a particular age, I began to follow him. I’m certain she had an influence on me. She still may. She would walk each morning as part of her quiet time. I don’t walk, but I have a morning quiet time. She was “all God”, with little concern of our culture. I so admire that and hope to be emulate that.
I would be honored if my epitaph were that I clung to God. Early in my faith, I felt much condemnation. As I matured, that faded. I may have a deficit that causes me to be somewhat impersonal. I may have some of the “man after God’s heart”, but I may be more “cling to”. I would refer to be the former, but like Popeye the sailor, “I am what I am”. God may make me better, but He loves me as I am.
Lord, thank You for Hezekiah and his example for us. Help us to cling to You. Thank You that You’ve made us aware of our poverty of spirit. You’ve led us to cling to You.