Beware of Pride!
Scripture reading for July 27: 2 Chronicles 26:16-19 “But when he (King Uzziah) became 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. But Azariah the priest went in after him, with eighty priests of the Lord who were men of valor, and they withstood King Uzziah and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priest, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the Lord God. Then Uzziah was angry. Now he had a censer in his hand to burn incense, and when he became angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead . . ..”
As we look in Scripture for instruction on healing and maintaining health in our bodies, we come to a difficult story. King Uzziah was a good king who initially did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He began a 52 year reign at 16 years of age. He began by seeking the Lord and God prospered him and the nation of Judah. He loved the soil and had lots of vines and farmers working for him. He built a big army and fortifications and developed a reputation for his military skill. Everything was going right for him.
But when he became strong, he grew proud in his heart and lost his way. His pride was religious. He thought he had just as much right to offer incense to the Lord as the priests who were designated by God to do that task. After all, he thought God would be pleased that he was seeking Him. When confronted, instead of humbly repenting, he raised the censer in anger towards the priest and leprosy broke out on his forehead.
This story reminds us that sometimes disease and sickness can come from spiritual attitudes that are rebellious against God and His established authority. It is so easy to become proud when we are successful and blessed by the Lord. It is easy to make assumptions when we are doing religious things. But God does see and know our hearts. Satan fell because of pride. Beware!
Prayer: Father God, thank You for this warning in Scripture written down for us. Through the Holy Spirit, reveal what I need for healing and restoration. Amen.
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