Evangelist D. L. Moody once said, “When a man thinks he has a good deal of strength, and is self-confident, you may look for his downfall. It may be years before it comes to light, but it is already commenced.” This was definitely true of King Uzziah.
Everything seemed to be going so well in the monarch’s life. He lived in covenant obedience to the Lord and he sought God’s guidance during most of his reign. As long as he asked God for guidance and help, God gave him great success. His success was evidenced by his many accomplishments (2 Chronicles 26:2,7-15). In fact, Uzziah’s life could be considered a human success story—until he became blinded by his power and success, which caused him to be filled with pride.
Uzziah’s pride was evidenced in several ways: He challenged God’s holiness by trespassing into the temple and presuming upon a position he would never be able to have (2 Chronicles 26:6); he viewed God’s power as nice but not absolutely necessary for his leadership and life (2 Chronicles 26:5,16); when confronted with his pride, he refused godly correction and counsel; he refused to repent, and he ignored—instead of feared—the consequences of his sin (2 Chronicles 26:18-19). Uzziah’s pride motivated him to glorify himself and contend for God’s supremacy. What a tragic ending to a promising life.
The story of Uzziah teaches us several important lessons on how to break the pride cycle and start the humility cycle in our lives: View God’s help as absolutely necessary, remember the Source of all our blessings, thank God regularly for those blessings, and accept godly and worthwhile counsel.
May we choose, as William Penn says, a “low and level dwelling!” For God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).
More:
• James 4:6
• Proverbs 6:17;16:18
Next:
How is pride a contention for the supremacy of God? How has it manifested itself in your life lately? Humility attracts the gaze and grace of God. What is your personal plan for seeking humility?
lindagma on January 22, 2011 at 7:10 am
and…we don’t have to be as important as a king…a CEO…we can become proud and full of ourselves in any position.
We can also become so “familiar” in our relationship with the Father that we diminish the fact that He is GOD!
Sad that it takes a crisis to remember who we are and who God is. Won’t it be wonderful to be in heaven and no longer have the battle of the flesh.
esletspray on January 22, 2011 at 4:46 pm
We must always remember where we came from and where we are now. If not for our Heavenly Father who saved us where would you be now?. Remember what happened to Lucifier, Saul. and Uzziah, and many more.. PRIDE WILL DESTROY AND KILL.Lets get down on our knees and ask for humility and forgiveness from our Father in Heaven.. He;s waiting with open arms to take us back. Amen..
AManofGod on January 22, 2011 at 11:48 am
Lindagma,
I hate to agree with you but you are right. In my personal life when I was “flying high” and reaping full benefits from God I rarely [if ever] took time out to thank Him! But when trials and tribulations came I dropped to my knees QUICKLY and asked Him to come to my resuce! I almost feel guilty as I write this…..but thankfully God never turns us away. Even though if the roles were reversed I wonder if we would do the same.
Let’s be more like God in our interactions. Humble and forgiving to everyone and in everything.
AManofGod
matiemorin@yahoo.com on January 22, 2011 at 1:06 pm
what was it that king Uziah got that was not given to him by God We Christians should be very careful especially our pastors must not take the glory due to God for themselves(Isaiah 42 verse 8) when there is any miracle performed it is all from God 1 Corinthians 4 verse 7 read it. Proverb 16 verse 18 says pride goeth before destruction (KJV) Let us all learn from Nebuchadnezzar in book of Daniel and Herod in Acts 12 May God help us to humble our selves. Brethren we must not allow God to humble us God giveth more grace.Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud , but giveth grace unto the humble.(James 4:6) Let us HUMBLE ourselves before God.
matiemorin@yahoo.com on January 22, 2011 at 1:20 pm
Isaiah 42 verse 8 “I am the LORD, that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images”
Akinolawale on January 22, 2011 at 10:11 pm
A humble mind is one that constatly and continually acknowledges its dependency and supremacy of God. Pride is the highest degree of self conceit. It ultimately destroys the holder. We should acknowledge the fact at all time that we are what we are by His grace and mercies.
daisymarygoldr on January 23, 2011 at 10:47 pm
It is interesting to note that when King Uzziah usurped the position of the priests or when Miriam the prophet spoke against Moses or when Gehazi the personal assistant disobeyed his master Elisha, the Lord struck them all with leprosy.
Inward sin of rebellion breaks out as outward leprosy. Back then, lepers were excommunicated from society.
Today, when we slander, backbite, gossip or speak ill against the leadership of the Church, God hears it and takes their side. To defy God’s anointed is the same as defying God. And when we sin to rebel against the righteous, it separates us from the fellowship of God and His saints.
Thankfully Jesus Christ is our Prophet, Priest and King. If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
King Uzziah’s sad story is teaching me to choose a “low and level dwelling”—to be submissive under the headship of spiritual authority established by God.