According to a popular saying, "the secret is the soul of the business." However, some people disregard these words and, taken by vanity, say more than they should when asked about something they did or acquired. Then, upon realizing they have fallen into a trap, they ask God why He did not protect them. Watch out!

Hezekiah, king of Judah, was one of the best and most well-intentioned monarchs of the people of God (2 Kings 18:5). However, he was swayed by the letter and the gift sent by Merodach-Baladan, the son of the king of Babylon, upon hearing of Hezekiah's recovery. However, the true intention of the visit by the Babylonian messengers was to probe everything that was in Jerusalem (Isaiah 39:1).

This monarch was so pleased with the gifts received that he stopped preaching about the God of Israel, the invincible in battles. Surely, Babylon heard about the defeat of Sennacherib (2 Chronicles 32:21-23). Remember: Jesus instructed the disciples He sent to the mission field to be simple, but also prudent: Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10.16).

If Hezekiah had told them that, when the enemy furiously attacked the kingdom, they ended up defeated because the people served the one true God, fear and dread would have taken hold of those ill-intentioned messengers. Well, the faith that the king of Judah had in the Lord should have been preached to the last point, so that those men would return to their land with the Good News. However, he did not mention that that victory had been given by the Most High.

It is unbelievable that Hezekiah, a man who sat on David's throne, did not take the time to speak of the protection that his God always granted them; after all, those men returned to Babylon without knowing the Lord. The servants of God need to speak of the miracles they witness, for that is how He reveals Himself. But instead of hearing about the heavenly wonders, the entourage noticed the leader's weakness and hurried to detail to the king what they saw in Judah!

We do not know the fear of the lost when we report on God's actions in our lives. We are the beloved children of the Heavenly Father and, therefore, we must learn more about Him and His power, which will always be at our disposal. Be strong not to speak more than necessary, but tell everything that people could obtain from the Lord. Hezekiah spoke indiscriminately, giving ammunition to the enemy to return later, as happened when Nebuchadnezzar came to power. Since they did not give credit to God, the kingdom of Judah became a servant of Babylon!

         In Christ, with love,

         R. R. Soares