March 28

What the Word says in II Chronicles 26:5 of Uzziah, the sixteen year old boy who became King of Judah is true for believers of our day, too. It is most probable that when his father died and Uzziah became king, he was intimidated by the formidable task that was placed before him. He knew he needed help.

Who better to turn to at a time of need than to the God who holds the universe in the hollow of His mighty hand! Though he was young and inexperienced, Uzziah knew that his God was faithful and worthy of all his confidence, so he placed his kingdom into the hand of God.

The Word tells us that “He set himself to seek God…and as long as he sought God, God made him to prosper.” The Holy One of Israel caused Uzziah to triumph over his enemies in war and expanded the resources of his kingdom. He encouraged invention and commerce and the Lord was faithful to His promises to Uzziah. But, when Uzziah became strong, when he relied upon himself instead of upon the God who was his Help and Strength, he presumed to usurp authority that was not rightfully his.

Instead of being just the king, he assumed the prerogative of the priests, which was a great offense in the sight of God. As close as he had been to the Lord, he fell that far away. We must be on guard against the presumption of Uzziah. We must not allow ourselves to succumb to the subtle seduction of the enemy of our souls who will try to convince us that our own abilities have ushered us to success. We must endeavor to stay close to the Lord, to maintain our reliance upon Jesus, so we do not fall from the grace He has given to us.