2 Chronicles 26:16 – 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.
.
Perhaps the most dangerous time in life that any of us faces is when things are going well. We strive for and often pray for prosperity. Some Christian teachers shout from the roof tops that success is our due as children of God the King. However, it might be wise for us all to recognize that with worldly success comes the greatest of dangers. With success, comes the danger of pride.
King Uzziah started well. The Bible indicates that he was one of the kings who followed the Lord. Yet, at the end of his lifetime, he became arrogant in his success. He went into the temple to burn incense before the Lord even though doing so was forbidden to all except for the Levites. King Uzziah assumed that his success meant that he could do anything he pleased. And his pride led to his own destruction. That day, in the temple, he was struck by the Lord with leprosy. Uzziah died in disgrace because he became proud during the time of success.
Before moving on, I must also mention that this passage teaches us very clearly that God is the one who will decide how he will be worshipped. It is not for us to come up with new and creative ways to worship that are beyond the principles of scripture. God has told us what to do that will please him. We dare not assume, as did Uzziah, that we can come up with a new and better way to honor our Lord. So, let us learn to embrace the things that God has told us to do: pray, sing, read the scripture, listen and respond as the scripture is taught, participate in the ordinances, etc.
But, what about this pride issue? Uzziah became prideful during the time of success and he fell. How is life going for you? If it is going very well, be careful. Be careful not to allow your success to make you grow soft in your diligence to worship God. Do not let the success with which God has blessed you to make you think more highly of yourself than you ought. Instead, realize that with success comes the danger of self-destructive pride.
And, what about you who are not doing so well. You are facing challenge after challenge. My advice to you is to recognize that, at times, a lack of success is God’s protection against the danger of pride. It is far better to have some struggles and to work through them to the glory of God than it is to have success followed by pride followed by destruction. Sure, you will strive to succeed, but only do so to the glory of God. Seek success if that success will honor Christ. Make the glory of God your main priority, not earthly riches, fame, or comforts. You can find the glory of Christ in the midst of your darkest trials, truly succeeding no matter what your circumstances. And, as your heart is focused on the glory of God, you will be protected from the destructive pride that brought down King Uzziah.
Pastor Travis Peterson 