PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Chronicles 25-26
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“After Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.” (2 Chronicles 26:16)
Have you known of Christian leaders whose success went to their heads?
One that I know very well – myself – has struggled with this.
But before you look down on me, its probably true for you as well.
We all tend to be deceived by our abilities and accomplishments.
I’ve seen God work through me as I’ve served with the church.
At first I was so aware of my inadequacy and need for God.
But with success, I gained confidence but lost my sense of dependence.
I did things expecting good results, without relying on the Lord.
There are many areas of life where we all do this.
Pride goes before the fall; it did in Genesis 3, and it does in my life.
Satan encourages it, getting me to look away from God to my own self.
But Jesus models true humanity, true humility, true submission to God.
Though “being in very nature God… he made himself nothing” (Philippians 2:6-7).
Today I am reminded of the sin of pride, and the call to be like Jesus – not Uzziah.
PRAYER
Lord, I need to know my weakness and dependence. I pray for success in your kingdom, but not for me, for you! May it not go to my head!
My earlier response got lost in the ‘hyber tactics’ – thought the screen was strange!
I can get in the way – I ignore the prodding of the HS – and go my own way. Like Amaziah, I “have not listened to my counsel.” What is it? Self pride – self-sufficiency? I think so – yet time and time again I’m thankful for lessons learned. Help me Lord to seek your counsel every hour, every day. Forgive me Lord when I spurn your prodding! Help me to fight against my own willful ways!
God made him prosper as long as he sought the Lord.
All too often we pray, thank You Lord for all the many good blessings which I have by the work of my hands. We give ourselves the credit and not God. I need to seek God every day and thank Him and live for Him since today, also Today God Is First (TGIF). All that I am I owe to Him. I am a Kingdom servant serving Him living this day in His SonShine, being guided by His Spirit doing His will.
1 All that I am I owe to thee,
thy wisdom, Lord, has fashioned me.
I give my Maker thankful praise,
whose wondrous works my soul amaze.
2 Ere into being I was brought,
thine eye did see, and in thy thought
my life in all its perfect plan
was ordered ere my days began.
3 Thy thoughts, O God, how manifold,
more precious unto me than gold!
I muse on their infinity,
awaking I am still with thee.
4 The wicked thou wilt surely slay;
from me let sinners turn away.
They speak against the name divine;
I count God’s enemies as mine.
5 Search me, O God, my heart discern;
try me, my inmost thought to learn;
and lead me, if in sin I stray,
to choose the everlasting way.