Have you ever heard the Bible story about Uzziah? Although it's not a widely quoted passage, it's an important one, in that it serves as a weighty reminder of the dangers of pride and arrogance. Uzziah was just 16 years old when he became King of Judah. That is a scary thought when you think of the immaturity and impulsiveness of most 16 year olds. However, Uzziah was a man after God's own heart. 2 Chronicles 26 tells us that he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord just like his father had, and because of this, the Lord blessed him.
2 Chronicles 26:15b says, "His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped....."
It's the next part of the passage that serves as a warning to all of us. 2 Chronicles 26:15b goes on to say..."until he became powerful." In other words, Uzziah was blessed and greatly helped by God until he became successful and powerful.
His pride kicked in and destroyed his relationship with God as well as his fame and prosperity among the people. How do we know this? Because verse 26 says, "But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord."
Uzziah ended up being inflicted with leprosy and being condemned and shunned by his own people. He was so despised that when he died, he was not even allowed to be buried near the other kings' tombs.
God calls each of us to be humble. Does he want us to be meek and mild, not standing up for ourselves? Absolutely not! God wants us to be courageous and bold, but He wants our confidence to be grounded in Him. Being humble means acknowledging that God is the basis for all of your abilities and successes.
Questions to ask yourself to determine if you are arrogant or humble:
1. Do you believe that you and your own abilities are the reasons for your success, or do you know that you wouldn't have what you have without God's blessing?
2. Are you chasing after your own purposes or the purposes God has placed on your life?
3. Do you respond to godly confrontation with defensiveness and self-protection, or are you willing to look at your weaknesses and sins with a humble heart?
4. Do you see other people as obstacles to your own agenda, or do you see them as fellow children of God?
Sometime during his life journey, Uzziah took the off-ramp of pride and arrogance. Ask God to search your heart and open your eyes to any areas in which you have become prideful and self-reliant instead of depending on and following after Him. It's so easy to do, and it can sneak up on every one of us. Make sure God is your life-compass, not you.
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