Success is a Double-edged Sword!
2 Chronicles 26
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, November 7.
Did you know that your greatest strengths can also be your greatest weaknesses? We call this a double-edged sword. Often, this phenomenon is highlighted in stories that capture the rise and fall of strong leaders. The strength of their “can-do” attitudes morph into the weakness of a “I can-do-no-wrong” mentality. As you have heard it said, “Pride goes before destruction” (Proverbs 16:18a).
King Uzziah’s life was defined by God’s favor, which gave him great success, as described in 2 Chronicles 26:4-5,
“He did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him.”
The story of his successes continued through verses 6-15, but Uzziah’s life story took a turn for the worst. The pride of his accomplishments caused him to stumble into the sin of previous kings, such as Saul in 1 Samuel 13:9 and Jeroboam in 1 Kings 12:33. His unauthorized action was described in verse 16,
“But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the Lord his God, for he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.”
Unfortunately, Uzziah’s pride prevented him from humbling himself and repenting of his sin when his faithful priests rebuked him, so God’s justice brought Uzziah to his knees and cut him off from the people and the house of the Lord until his death (19-23). You see, Uzziah’s “can-do” attitude morphed into a “I can-do-no-wrong” mentality. How wrong he was!
Seize the moment and remain humble before your God (James 4:10). Don’t let your own life accomplishments become the greatest stumbling block of your life. Set yourself up for success by spending time in God’s Word every day – “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
God bless you!
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