Thursday, December 30, 2010

An Unwanted Outcome

2 Chronicles 26:16

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.

Did you know the pride is not pleasing to the Lord? Did you know that God delights in a humble heart? Sure it's ok to be glad about what God has done but that's just it...what God has done. Not us. The prophet Isaiah recorded the life of Uzziah king of Judah. For Uzziah became king of Judah at a very young age. He became king after his father passed. He built towers all over Jerusalem. God helped him defeat the Philistines. He had a vast army. But with everything, the more power God blessed him with, the more prideful he became. Now Uzziah still entered into the Lord's temple so he still paid lip service to the Lord but in his heart, he forgot something very important. He forgot that the Lord was in charge. The priests of the Lord confronted Uzziah about his lack of humility but he rejected them and became angry with them.

2 Chronicles 26:20
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.

When one denies the correction of the Lord through his servants the consequences can be steep. It was unfortunate for Uzziah because the Lord had blessed him greatly. The king of Judah forgot the giver of every good and perfect gift. He received something unwanted instead, punishment. The minute the punishment appeared, Uzziah knew why and could do nothing but accept it. The Lord corrects those he loves. He blessed Uzziah because he loved him but he forgot to be grateful and humble for it. So in the end, Uzziah had to appoint someone else to run his affairs and he spent the rest of his days in quarantine.

When God blesses us, he does so because he loves us. Each day that we are here is a blessing whether we have great power like Uzziah or not. But the one thing we must remember is that it is not because of our cleverness or our goodness, it is simply because of our Lord.

Please Note: There will be no message on Friday, December 31st.. This is the last message of 2010. Let us spend time in reflection of what has taken place in 2010 and PRAISE GOD for who he is and the new mercies and blessings to come for 2011. May we all not only look for the ways in which he is speaking to us but know that if we are still here, then that means we still have a God-given purpose and may we grow to walk in it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!