2 Chronicles 26
Scripture 2 Chronicles 26:16 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. Observation King Uzziah started off amazing. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and as long as he sought the LORD God continued to give him success. He became very powerful. He became famous. 2 Chronicles 26:17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. 18 They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.”19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy[c] broke out on his forehead. 20 When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him.Awe… man, Uzziah! Darn it, you were so close! Why did you think you didn't need to follow God’s way anymore?I am literally asking myself that question. Understanding Pride - to lift up. Unfaithful - broke commitment. In 2 Kings 15:3-4, it says that He did what was right in the LORD’s eyes but he never took down the high places (places lifted up) and so people could go and offers sacrifices to other gods (unfaithful).So you do the right thing on one end and have a side-fling on the other...hmm. Well… you know… I am mostly Christian but the other stuff is my escape, it's what helps me cope. Anyway, I don't need God in every area of my life, I can take care of some things on my own!Application Tear down the high places of pride and fully commit yourself to the LORD your God! These high places of pride are where we have exalted our own abilities and our places where we find comfort (other than God). These are places set up by human hands. Proverbs 21:2 People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.God sees our heart. There is no where we can hide from him or anything we can keep a secret. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. Casting down imaginations (thoughts), and every high thing that exalteth (lifts up) itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;We all have thoughts of how to save ourselves and are tempted to do so but God has given us the tools and the power of the Holy Spirit to discipline our flesh into obedience to Christ. CHOOSE THIS DAY WHOM YOU WILL SERVE
The LORD only has good plans for us. No matter what valley we pass through to get there, He is with us. Let’s get rid of all the high places and fully commit our way to following and obeying Jesus!:)
Deborah Lee