2 Chronicles 26:15-16 - In Jerusalem he made machines designed by
skillful men for use on the towers and on the corner defenses to shoot arrows
and hurl large stones. His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped
until he became powerful. But after
Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered
the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.
Uzziah was crowned king at just 16 years old. He established himself as a powerful king…rebuilding
cities….organizing the army…and pleasing God with his obedience of the rules
Moses had given the people. He listened to the prophet Zechariah …eager to
please God with the prophets directions. The early years of his reign were picture
perfect….allowing him to soak up the blessings of God.
But sometime after his fame soaked his life with blessings…he
forgot the rules of the Temple. He went
one day to worship…and burned his own incense on the holy altar reserved for
the priests alone. His arrogance continued when he was reminded by the priests
to leave…and God struck him with leprosy when he refused in indignant anger. His
one act of arrogance and pride remembered above all the good he accomplished during
his reign.
This is not the only place in the Bible that warns us to
guard our hearts from pride. In Proverbs 16:18 Solomon’s wisdom says… “ Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit
before a fall.” And Hannah’s beautiful prayer of dedication to God when she
took Samuel to the Temple included these words… “ "Do not keep talking so
proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a
God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.”
I am also reminded of Moses…who walked side by side with God…even
sitting with him on the mountain to receive his rules. But one day…in his frustration and anger…he
let pride cause him to strike a rock instead of speak to it….and died with just
a vision of the land God had used him to lead his people to. He died never
placing his feet on the promised land of God…because of one simple disobedient
action.
It is a strong reminder to me to never allow the blessings
in my life control my actions or my thoughts. Everything I have is God’s…to be
used according to his will and purpose for my life. The more we have…the more we run the risk of
thinking that we can make it on our own.
The more he gives us...the easier it is for satan to sneak into our
heart and twist our thinking into doing things the way we want…instead of the
way God has told us too.
Father…thank you for this story that reminds me how
important it is that I guard my heart from pride. You have blessed me with so much…and I thank
you for each and every thing that has made my life so rich with your love and
care. Help me keep in the forefront of my mind…just where all
these things came from…so I can stand strong against satan when he whispers in
my ear to try to be my own boss. Help me
to remember the disaster my life was when I tried to do things without you…and
hold your hand even tighter as you help me grow. Amen.
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