2 Chronicles 26:14-16 –“And Uzziah prepared for all the army shields, spears, helmets, coats of mail, bows, and stones for slinging. ¹⁵ In Jerusalem, he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones.  And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.  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.” 

As I read, prayed, and pondered today, I was reminded of a great danger for believers.  That danger was made plain in 2 Chronicles 26:16.

Uzziah trusted in himself after victory and blessing.  Rather than becoming even more dependent on God, we tend to become filled with Ourselves after spiritual victory.

Uzziah was king when some people in his kingdom invented powerful, unknown weapons of war.   Verse 15 says, “…he was marvelously helped UNTIL he was strong.”  Then, in verse 16, we read, “BUT when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, AND was unfaithful to the LORD…”   He presumed upon the office of the priest and was smitten with leprosy for the rest of his life.  God will not honor presumptuous pride.  He shares His glory with no one.

2 Chronicles 26:5 says, “…as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him.”  Man tends to think the blessings are because of his specialness.   God requires humility and obedience.

If we keep pride out of our hearts and always remember that it is because of God’s grace, not our goodness or specialness, God will do what God does, and no weapon, enemy, or obstacle can stand.

If we trust ourselves, we doom ourselves.   If we trust God, we guarantee success.  It is a choice and a total surrender.  We need to guard against “I” trouble.   God honors the humble and stumbles the proud.   God’s desire for us is victory!

Have a great day in the Lord’s peace, power, presence, protection, and provision!