READING: 2 Kings 14-15, 2 Chronicles 25-27
“. . . it led to his own destruction.”
2 Chron. 26:16
Once again, two of the most simple statements in the scriptures are so profound that they cause me to pause and evaluate my life.
First, King Amaziah of Judah had generally followed God, and he and his troops had gained victory over the Seirites. For some unexplained reason, though, he then brought the gods of the Seirites to his land, set them up as deities, and worshiped them. God sent a prophet his way who asked him this simple question that has caught my attention: “Why have you sought a people’s gods that could not rescue their own people from you?”(2 Chron. 25:15). It really is a logical question – why would you turn to gods who didn’t even have enough power to rescue your own people? And why in the world would you choose to worship gods whose people your own armies just defeated? All of it seems illogical, but it also reminds us of the foolishness of idolatry. None of it makes much sense, yet still we worship our own gods that have no power. We cling to false gods who can offer us nothing.
Second, King Uzziah was a faithful and powerful king whose fame spread far and wide. When he became strong, though, “he grew arrogant, and it led to his own destruction” (2 Chron. 26:16). In fact, he took the priests’ prerogative to burn incense on the altar – and the Lord struck him with disease he carried in quarantine for the rest of his life. In this story, I’m reminded that the distance between success and ego is quite small. Even the most faithful king can fall into the trap of arrogance as soon as his victories make him think he’s so great he can ignore the rules of God. Pride really does lead to a fall.
So, don’t foolishly turn to gods I know don’t have power, and don’t ever think I'm something.
Both are lessons worth learning.
ACTION STEPS:
- Evaluate what “powerless” gods you’re in danger of following in your own life.
- Remember that arrogance leads to destruction.
PRAYER: “God, make me wise. I need your help every step of the way.”