Remember the Source

“His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful.” (2 Chronicles 26:15)

Uzziah was successful as long as he believed: “I am greatly helped.”

The slide started when he began to think: “I am great.”

God constructed every step of Uzziah’s rise. But somewhere along the way, the king started to claim credit.

“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense …” (2 Chronicles 26:16)

When you start to believe in your own inherent power, lawlessness creeps in. In your mind, you rise above the basics of God’s law—as if a blanket of heavenly dew covers your every move. You take on the assumption that since you are holy, all of your opinions, measures, and conversations must be holy as well, no matter how far they depart from God’s pure standard.

As a consequence for acting like a priest, God gave Uzziah a leprous forehead—a permanent reminder that he would never wear the forehead plaque reserved for Aaron’s line (Exodus 28:36-38)

All God-given success opens two paths: humble deflection or humbling discipline. Your life will point to God’s superior power, one way or another. Deflect praise to God, or through humiliation, God will redirect it himself. 

“As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.” (2 Chronicles 26:5)

There are no exceptions. Stop seeking God, and you will seek glory for yourself. Forsake the secret place, and you will care only about the public persona. You will lose the humble aroma of heavenly-mindedness that marked your ascent. And because God loves you, he will bring you back to base. He will take you back to the fundamentals you left behind.

Always remember the source. If you have been made powerful, it is only because you have received power from on high.