The Daily Word: Thursday, July 30th, 2020
2 Chronicles 26:1-28:27
Romans 13:1-14
Psalm 23:1-6
Proverbs 20:11
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. – 2 Chron. 26:16
Uzziah was powerfully anointed. God, “…made him prosper” (v. 5). God, “…helped him against the Philistines, …the Arabians…and…the Meunites” (v. 7). Uzziah’s fame spread all the way to Egypt, “…for he became exceedingly strong” (v. 8).
But Uzziah’s strength soon became his weakness. He was so proud and his chin held so high that he forgot that God was the One who had made him strong. So he went too far. He tried to do something God had not given him permission to do. He burst into the temple, “…to burn incense on the altar” (v. 16). He tried to do something only priests were consecrated to do! And as a result, he immediately lost his strength: “And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the Lord had struck him” (v. 20).
Strength is a blessing when it comes from God; but it is a curse when you try to produce it yourself. Do not allow your relative success to go to your head! The better your life gets, the more you should rely on God; never the less.
Prayer:
Father, I pray You would take every ounce of pride away from me. I know that I am strong because You are in me! My strength has nothing to do with me, and everything to do with You. Help me never to forget it, in Jesus’ name!
Archives
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See commentary from this day in 2019.
© Michael D. White, 2020. All rights reserved.