2 Chronicles 32:25-26 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up; therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
God was blessing the reign of Hezekiah, and the kingdom of Judah was prospering in peace. When things were comfortable and at ease he neglected to thank God and properly worship Him for all the blessings and benefits the Lord had given. His heart was lifted up in pride as he forgot God and took credit for all the good things they were enjoying. Therefore, the wrath of God was coming on them.
Fortunately for him, he recognized what was going on in him, and he turned in repentance and humbled himself. We are not told exactly what he did, but we know that he got right with God in humble dependence and faith. Thus the wrath of God did not come upon the kingdom during his lifetime, although it did come years later because of the prideful unbelief of the people.
We can see ourselves in Hezekiah. Pride is the normal and natural response of the sinner. Humbling is the work of the Word and the Spirit bringing us to repentance and faith in Christ, and thus into the eternal kingdom. God brings down the proud and lifts up the humble. Faith sees the true, eternal, spiritual riches, while pride focuses on the deceitful, temporal, earthly good things. Therefore, we humble ourselves and are willing to be humbled every day.
There is some debate over whether it is more spiritually dangerous to be rich or to be poor, but in any case humility is the best response. We are content, humble and trusting, in either condition. “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” With Paul, we learn how to be rich or poor.