Scripture
"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. Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in. 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.' 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 broke out on his forehead." (2 Chronicles 26: 16-19)
"Uzziah rested with his ancestors and was buried near them in a cemetery that belonged to the kings, for people said, “He had leprosy.” And Jotham his son succeeded him as king." (2 Chronicles 26:23)
Observation
King Uzziah had a power trip! Of course he started of seeking the lord but as he won wars, became successful, rich and he invented top of line military tactics that guarantees his success. He had the world at his and instead of humbled, selfless, and respectful; he became prideful, reckless and disfavored.
Pride over politeness lead to his consequences as he even tried to dishonored Gods alignment of burning incense in temple. He had an ego that blinded him to see how narcissistic he was. Instead of being humbled God humiliated him by ending his legacy with Leprosy.
Application
When I want to be so right, my pride kicks in. It floods my heart like a drug, becoming addicted to its substances. I will admit I got pride. There is good pride and bad pride. Good pride is having confidence, assurance, celebratory and proud. Bad pride is selfish, dishonorable, insecure and arrogant. I know I got both. But as I look at the king Uzziah, his situation humbles me quickly. To trace the cause of his fall is he forgot God. He forgot God's power and faithfulness that brought him to where he is but hers pride puffed him up. Instead of pride, I need to Praise God! Uzziah refused to see it was God's hands that gave him success and not his own! I must always recognized that it is God anointing, God's power, God favor that has held me were I am today. If I want to destroy pride quickly, praise God for my Victory!
Prayer
Lord, keep me humbled by your grace. Holy Spirit will you diminish any pride that is within me so it doesn’t grow. But when I fail lord, bring back to your heart! May I praise, boost in you, and humble myself under your mighty hands.
