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.
2 Chronicles 26:16 NIV
Uzziah was a king of Judah who followed the Lord and did much good in the nation. And God blessed him through most of his reign. But this verse is a sad commentary on the end of his reign. Uzziah took personal pride in what God had done through him, and it led to his downfall. He came to believe that somehow he deserved the credit for all that had been done. In his pride, Uzziah took incense into the temple to offer to God. Something that only the priests were allowed to do. And he ended up with a skin disease that made him an outcast for the remainder of his life.
God has blessed me tremendously. And he has enabled me to serve him. But there is always a temptation to take some credit for what God does. To become proud of what God accomplishes in my life. But this lesson from Uzziah’s life is a warning against pride. To not let my pride get in the way of God using me.
Related Posts
It is encouraging to be told we were helpful. But any acclaim we receive or give should be redirected to our Lord.
Nothing good will come from taking God’s rightful place on the throne of my life. That pride will ultimately lead to destruction.
Pick up trash that you see. Help serve meals to the homeless. Make an effort to make newcomers feel welcome. Clothe yourself with humility.
What would Jesus’ parable of two men going to pray look like in today’s world. Might it be a Baptist deacon and a common prostitute?
Additional Related Posts
If you have found value in this post, please consider sharing it with your friends.
Just an old clay jar that God continues to see fit to use in his kingdom's work. I am retired, married with 2 children, and 4 grandchildren. I have followed Jesus for many years. And I love to share what He has given me from His word.
A Note to Readers
The views expressed here are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect those of any other person, group, or organization. While I believe they reflect the teachings of the Bible, I am a fallible human and subject to misunderstanding. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions about this post in the comments section below. I am always interested in your feedback.
