Don’t Live For God, But Then Stop

As we get into God’s Word and start reading and studying the Bible daily, key chapters will come to life. Like in the Old Testament chapters, we see the many kings who once lived for God, but later on, did that which was evil. It was then that God causes them to be scourged. Even many of them were plagued with diseases since they transgressed against the Lord. One such man was Uzziah, who started to reign as king at the early age of sixteen years old. Amaziah was his father, who had recently been killed. This was after he had given up on God and went after pagan idols instead. As for Uzziah, he was just like his father. In the beginning stages of his life, he did follow and do as God commanded like his dad did. It was even recorded that ¹“he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did. And 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. And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines. And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims. And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.” (2 Chronicles 26:4-8) So we see that he prospered in the land when he did as God said. The same thing happens to people now that follow Jesus.

As for the downfall of this king, it was because of his pride. He was lifted up because of what he had accomplished in war and because of all his possessions. It is said that ¹“when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense. And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men: And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God. Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar. And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him.” (2 Chronicles 26:16-20) This is very interesting, as he should have known better than to go into the house of the Lord and do what only the priests were told of God to do. My friends, God still punishes those people that transgress against his commands with diseases. Therefore, repent while you still have time. We do not want to find ourselves unworthy when judgment comes.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will continue to follow in Your righteous ways if they are found doing this now. It doesn’t matter if they had lived for You for a time in their lives. What matters is now. Every day that we have breath should be a new day to live out our lives in worship to You. I often wonder how people in church can act a certain way, but then act entirely different outside of church. Surely, being two-faced is not something You wish we would be for Your kingdom. This is what You call hypocrites, for people seem to be religious a certain day of the week or at times in their lives, but other times they blend right in with the people of the world. Lord, these types of people are not made new and different from the wicked, for they are just like them. So I wish that these kinds of people will understand the consequences of what they are doing. May they be convicted of their sins today, and not later. It is important that they understand what they are doing wrong and follow You instead. Surely, we cannot be a slave to our sins, and still be true followers of You, God. We either love the lifestyle we have made for ourselves, or love the lifestyle that You make us out to be. There is a big difference in a person’s life in the world, for they are not born again, nor a spirit-filled person. However, those people that have been filled with Holy Spirit have been touched by Your mighty hand, and they are able to walk differently. Even in baptism, did the gift of the Holy Ghost come inside of them, like a fire, making them not want to willfully sin anymore. This is what You put in my heart, God. Thank You. Now I know what it means to be blessed eternally. My good things in life do not come from the world, but things that I am able to build in Your kingdom. Surely, only by following You, Jesus, can a person be saved. This I pray that more people will believe in and do as You say. I love You. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

2 Chronicles 26

¹2 Chronicles 26 (KJV)
1 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah did.
5 And 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 to prosper.
6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.
11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king’s captains.
12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
13 And under their hand was an army, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the Lord, that were valiant men:
18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the Lord God.
19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the Lord, from beside the incense altar.
20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him.
21 And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord: and Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.
22 Now the rest of the acts of Uzziah, first and last, did Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, write.
23 So Uzziah slept with his fathers, and they buried him with his fathers in the field of the burial which belonged to the kings; for they said, He is a leper: and Jotham his son reigned in his stead.