INTRODUCTION:
John Ortberg writes: Not long ago, there was a CEO of a Fortune 500 company who pulled into a service station to get gas. He went inside to pay, and when he came out he noticed his wife engaged in a deep discussion with the service station attendant. It turned out that she knew him. In fact, back in high school before she met her eventual husband, she used to date this man.
The CEO got in the car, and the two drove in silence. He was feeling pretty good about himself when he finally spoke: ''I bet I know what you were thinking. I bet you were thinking you're glad you married me, a Fortune 500 CEO, and not him, a service station attendant.''
''No, I was thinking if I'd married him, he'd be a Fortune 500 CEO and you'd be a service station attendant.''
Nothing like a little humble pie is it? Pride is a deadly ride. One that will wreck your relationship with God and with others around you. Pride is a ride you need to get off of as soon as possible.
Pride is a poison so very poisonous that it not only poisons the virtues; it even poisons the other vices. ... And we all do in fact know that the primary sin of pride has this curiously freezing and hardening effect upon the other sins. Uzziah experienced this first-hand.
Uzziah was a great leader and King. None of his physical enemies could touch him. What was this subtle enemy that defeated Uzziah? Basically, he let his V.I.P. status go to his H.E.A.D. In other words, Uzziah became proud and haughty. Somewhere amidst all the blessings, he lost sight of the fact that God was the source of his power, popularity, and prosperity.
Uzziah is a classic example of someone who just got too big for their spiritual britches.
Pride is a killer. It will kill your spiritual growth. It will kill your intimacy with the Savior. Pride can kill you for eternity. Read the passage: 2 Chronicles 26:1-23
I. HE FORGOT THE SOURCE OF HIS SUCCESS
2 Chronicles 26:12–15
The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred. 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. And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones. 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.
The reign of King Uzziah was a time of great material prosperity for Judah.
A. THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF KING UZZIAH
He was a great warrior - vs. 6-8 God used him to subdue the enemies of God and to make safe the nation of Israel. In vs. 14-15 we find that he provides armor and weapons for his men, something not done before. He also begins to develop war machines, catapults and devices to shoot arrows. He was a great general.
He was a successful developer - vs. 9-10 He built towers, fortresses, and dug many wells. All of this brought safety to the land and encouraged the people to settle farther out.
He was a good administrator - vs. 11-14 His army was well organized and went out to war in companies. He had over 300,000 soldiers and over 26,000 officers under him.
B. THE REASON FOR KING UZZIAH’S SUCCESS
2 Chronicles 26:4–5
And 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 to prosper.
Everything we have we owe it to God. Every accomplishment is the result of God's working in our lives.
James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
C. THE BEGINNING OF KING UZZIAH’S DOWNFALL
2 Chronicles 26:15
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.
His heart was lifted up - he became proud. He allowed his accomplishments to lead to arrogance. He began to give himself credit for what God had accomplished.
The devil will use your success against you. He will bring to mind all your past achievements, even if they are spiritual achievements, if he can produce pride in your heart.
At this point Uzziah lost his sense of dependence upon the Lord. He lost that spirit of desperation that moved him to call upon God in prayer. He forgot just how much he needed God.
God warned the people of Israel about this in:
Deuteronomy 8:14–17
Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint; Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that he might humble thee, and that he might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end; And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
Moses instructs the people not to allow their hearts to become prideful. Don't forget the secret of your success. Don't go into the land of Canaan and then say in your heart, ''my power, and the wealth of my hand have gained me this wealth. ''
• Prideful people fail to give God the credit.
Remember sin is sneaky, especially pride. We see it clearly in others, but hardly at all in ourselves. We may mouth the right words, but inside be seething with pride.
Study Questions
1. What are some examples of things in your past that you took credit for and did not give God the credit and praise He is due?
2. When you did not give God the praise and credit, what were the consequences?