February 25: 2 Chronicles 26

How Obedience and Disobedience Can Affect One’s Life

Everyone wants to be successful and to know what it takes to be successful. There are a plethora of resources designed to help one achieve success. All you have to do is go to a bookstore, a library, or browse online and you will find them. Yet, when we look at the Scriptures, we find that being successful in God’s eyes is very simple indeed. Uzziah, the king of Judah, illustrates this through his life. The most important principle for success in life is to seek the LORD.

“He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.” (2 Chronicles 26:5, NKJV)

How did God prosper him?

• God helped him defeat the Philistines, Arabians, and Meunites, who were enemies of Judah (verse 7).
• He became very strong, received tribute from the Ammonites, and found his fame extending to the border of Egypt (verse 8).
• He built up fortifications to ensure the security of his realm (verses 9-10).
• He invested in the food sources for his realm (verse 10).
• He made sure that a prepared and trained army was ready to protect the realm (11-13).
• He invested in armaments, war engines, fortifications, and weaponry (verses 14-15).
• In all of these efforts, God was prospering him in his rule.

We must sadly note that one act of flagrant disobedience left Uzziah with consequences that he had to deal with the rest of his life. Uzziah was a young man of 16 when he became king. His reign of 52 years is long compared to most of his predecessors. He was able to accomplish many things because God made him prosperous. As is often the case, this prosperity caused him to become proud and haughty in his position as ruler. It only takes one act of foolish behavior to leave lifelong consequences in its wake. I am sure that you can think of many examples of people whose rash choices left disastrous results they are still living with.

“But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.” (2 Chronicles 26:16, NKJV)

Azariah the priest along with eighty other priests opposed Uzziah’s usurpation of his authority, by moving out of the role as king to act as a priest (verses 17-18). While the priests were seeking to bring Uzziah back to reality, leprosy broke out on his forehead while he stood beside the altar of incense (verse 19). Because of this act of rebellion on the part of Uzziah, he had to seclude himself as a leper for the rest of his life, unable to serve as king and unable to enter the house of the LORD (verses 20-21).

Think of these Scriptures:

“Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous;” (Genesis 26:12-13, NKJV)

“Therefore keep the words of this covenant, and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.” (Deuteronomy 29:9, NKJV)

“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”” (Joshua 1:7-9, NKJV)