“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.” (2 Chronicles 26:16 ESV).
Uzziah started out a great and godly king, but he didn’t finish well. Once humbly dependent on God, he sought the Lord in his early years and God caused him to prosper (2 Chr. 26:5). But success went to his head. His fame spread far and wide, his army grew strong, and his accomplishments multiplied. Then pride took root. Believing himself entitled to more, he entered the temple and tried to take on the role of priest by burning incense. This was a direct violation of God’s law. The priests warned him, but he became angry, and the Lord struck him with leprosy. He spent his final years isolated and excluded from both palace and temple. He had begun with God’s help but ended in disgrace and disease. His pride of strength became his downfall.
When we are blessed, we must not forget the God who blesses. It’s easy to depend on God when we are weak, but what about when we are strong? Uzziah’s story reminds us that spiritual pride is just as dangerous as moral failure. We must guard our hearts and remain humble, remembering that every success comes from the Lord. We are not entitled to glory or position, but called to faithfulness. Uzziah’s life warns us not to reach beyond what God has given us. His failure points us to the only One who holds all authority rightly—Jesus Christ, our true Prophet, Priest, and King. He finished His race without sin and offers us grace to finish ours. Let us fix our eyes on Him and aim to finish well.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for every blessing and every opportunity to serve You. Guard us from pride and spiritual presumption. Help us to remain humbly dependent on You all the days of our lives. We want to finish well. Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. In His name we pray, amen.