Pride That Leads to Our Undoing

Readings:
II Chronicles 26
Acts 28:1-15

Focus:
II Chronicles 26:16a: "But when he grew powerful his pride became great and led to his own undoing."

When King Uzziah of Judah became powerful, he dared to do himself actions that were reserved only for the Aaronite priests. This was displeasing to God. Uzziah had become such a great king that he thought that he could do anything he wanted to do, and so he did what he wanted. But it did not lead to happiness for him.

This is something that we have to watch out for ourselves. Often if we have successes, or do things well, we are proud of ourselves, and if it happens for a while, we start to think pretty well of ourselves. Then we think that we can do what we like, and then we actually do it.

But often we forget to check whether what we like to do is what God wants us to do, and when we don't do what God wants us to do, or when we do what God does not want us to do, it does not lead to happiness for us.

Achievements and success need to be recognized as reasons to be grateful to God, but not as reasons for pride that leads us to act as if we do not need God.