2 Chronicles 26:16, 19-21 - [16] But when King Uzziah became strong, he grew arrogant, and that led to his downfall. He defied the Lord his God by going into the Temple to burn incense on the altar of incense. [19] Uzziah was standing there in the Temple beside the incense altar and was holding an incense burner. He became angry with the priests, and immediately a dreaded skin disease broke out on his forehead. [20] Azariah and the other priests stared at the king's forehead in horror and then forced him to leave the Temple. He hurried to get out, because the Lord had punished him. [21] For the rest of his life King Uzziah was ritually unclean because of his disease. Unable to enter the Temple again, he lived in his own house, relieved of all duties, while his son Jotham governed the country.
This morning as I was doing my Bible study, I came across this passage concerning King Azariah. The story was rather straightforward. The king had become powerful, but his power transformed into something that went beyond the characteristic of being powerful as he had become arrogant.
Ultimately, his place of power became his destruction. God had put him in probably the most powerful position in his culture. There was nothing he could not do. And that was exactly his fault line. He thought that he could disobey the commands of God because of his stature and powerful position in life.
The king ultimately ended with being stricken by a form of leprosy and spent the rest of his days living apart from all. His power was gone. He only existed living the consequence of his failure.
Many believers will be blessed through hard work and God's grace to become powerful in the eyes of the world. Success in position, finances, work, and career. But all that comes with their power cannot save them if they become arrogant. Some people would simply describe it as "their power went to their head." Along our journey following Christ, I believe many of us will be blessed beyond our wildest dreams. But there's always the critical ingredient: To be humble and never arrogant.
The apostle Paul criticized one of the early New Testament churches as having reserved seats for the rich and affluent. The question is, will you sit in one of those seats? Because there is always someone who will recognize you and give you a place of importance to be seated.
For me, I think I will sit with the crowd. No matter what power God gives me, I will resist an attitude that is anything less than humble. That, I truly believe, will put you in a position that God can even do more in strength and power through you.
Today's lesson is power and arrogance will lead only to destruction. Power with humbleness will allow God to perform great things through you that will serve the really important purpose, to bring honor and glory to His name.
Stay healthy and have a blessed week!
~Dean Burnetti
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