As I was reading Scripture last I was struck by one person and their commitment to God. This king was a leader. He is mentioned in other places, but the verses I share with you are the two points I want us to look at for a few minutes today.
2 Chronicles 26:3-5 CSB
Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem. 4 He did what was right in the Lord’s sight just as his father Amaziah had done. 5 He sought God throughout the lifetime of Zechariah, the teacher of the fear of God. During the time that he sought the Lord, God gave him success.
Uzziah did what was right. He honored God as a man, as a leader and in all he did. That was not the common thing for kings. In fact if you read about the kings in the Old Testament often the king is said to have done evil before the Lord.
That wasn’t the case with this man. We need to have the same thing said about us. Live for God in all situations from our youth throughout life.
But that is not where this story ends. Be careful as you follow the Lord. Be careful as you are successful in the things of life.
2 Chronicles 26:16 CSB
But when he became strong, he grew arrogant, and it led to his own destruction. He acted unfaithfully against the Lord his God by going into the Lord’s sanctuary to burn incense on the incense altar.
Something changed in Uzziah. He grew selfish and prideful. That led to thinking he was above others and even could do his own thing with the worship of God.
That is not what happened. Yes, he was devoted to God, but things led Uzziah to turn to himself rather than to God. It is easy to allow the things of the world and success and other ideas to take hold of our lives.
Be careful what you let take your attention. Stay focused on God and committed to living for Him. It will make a difference.
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