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2 Chronicles Chapter 26 (ESV)
4 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 5 He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper…
16 But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 17 But Azariah the priest went in after him, with eighty priests of the Lord who were men of valor, 18 and they withstood King Uzziah and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the Lord God.” 19 Then Uzziah was angry. Now he had a censer in his hand to burn incense, and when he became angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of the Lord, by the altar of incense. 20 And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and behold, he was leprous in his forehead! And they rushed him out quickly, and he himself hurried to go out, because the Lord had struck him. 21 And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death, and being a leper lived in a separate house, for he was excluded from the house of the Lord. And Jotham his son was over the king’s household, governing the people of the land.
REFLECTION:
- Uzziah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and God gave him great treasure and power but he became arrogant and corrupted. As Proverbs says, “Pride goes before destruction.” If God gives you treasure, influence, fame and power, you should keep a thankful heart and be careful as God hates arrogance. You have to examine your attitude that everything you do should glorify God and utilize your gifts in ways pleasing to God.
- Although Uzziah often did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, God punished him with leprosy until death when he deviated from God. People did not remember much about Uzziah’s great achievements but rather the punishment due to his arrogance. God demands obedience in our whole life. Impulsive obedience is not enough but the one who endures to the end will be rewarded. You have to trust God consistently so that people will remember your faithfulness rather than your mistakes. Reflect that it is not easy to maintain a godly and holy life but God requires people with these qualities to serve Him. Will you dedicate yourself to live a godly and holy life?
PRAYER:
Humbly come before God and examine your attitude in serving God. Did you give glory to God for all the gifts you have and all the things you have done? Ask God to give you humility and perseverance that you are willing to serve Him and please Him throughout your life.
HYMN:
“All I Once Held Dear” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxpPIa-BskY
