Author: astherainandsnow

“And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, ‘You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.’  But he denied it, saying, ‘I neither know nor understand what you mean.’ And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed. The servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, ‘This man is one of them.’ But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders said to Peter, ‘Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.’ But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, ‘I do not know this man of whom you speak.’  And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.” Mark 14:66-72

“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’  He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep… Follow me… You follow me!’” John 21:15-17,19b,22c

Jesus did know everything. He knew Peter well. He knew his earnestness, passion, and impetuous inclination to action and thoughtless words. He knew how Peter was driven by emotion, and wanted to please. And Jesus loved him as he was, always leading him to greater revelation and growth because He was committed to his maturity and sanctification. (Matthew 14:22-30; 16:21-23; 17:1-8; John 20:1-7)

Three questions were posed each time. The first were in the growing heat of crucifixion fires, where fear so permeated Peter that every statement was an accusing threat. The next were after Jesus’s resurrection, where reunited friendship warmed the gathering. Increasingly vehement denial and refusal became increasingly earnest profession and affirmation. Trust was betrayed, trust was being restored.

Jesus led Peter through three opportunities to undo and correct his vehement denials. He thrice let Peter confess his love, and replace denial with action. He tended to every detail, and in doing so, displayed His amazing love, mercy, and omniscience in all their glory.

Jesus knows us intimately, too, and cares about every detail of our weakness and sinful proclivities. He works to undo our tangle of wrong thinking, and cleanse the lies to which we acquiesce and errant motives we tolerate and allow to control our actions and reactions. He walks alongside during every failure to teach and guide and redeem.

Are there pet sins we coddle and hide? Bring them to Jesus! Are there words, habits, resentments, or jealousies we’ve let grow ugly and deep? Let Jesus pull, one by one, until they are extricated and gone forever.

Lord, cleanse every detail of my sin. May I may daily look in Your eyes and answer Your searching with “Yes.” And “I love You,” because I do.

“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’

“So God created man in his own image,
    in the image of God he created him;
    male and female he created them.

“And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth. Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food…’ And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:26-31

When God created man, He had spent eternity planning, and the first five days of creation preparing, a world for His crown jewel. With perfect order and precision, He established a world- heavens, earth, seas, vegetation, heavenly lights, animals- over which mankind would rule, and in which he would fulfill his exquisite, divine purpose. Though everything was made by the breath of God, only man received His breath of life and the command to rule creation. (Genesis 1:1-25; 2:7)

Man was not made first so he could have a say in creation, nor boast pride in the design of things. Man was made last, as the resplendent climax of God’s magnificent work, so he would bring the blessing of satisfaction and “very good.” Man was created in detail and function and placed into God’s world as earthly regent over all that was.

It is a strong flesh impulse to desire control- to order days and lives just so, manage them to our liking, and eliminate friction, obstacles, and difficulties. But this is God’s world, and as servants assigned dominion over it, we must not be manipulators or despots for our own ends. (Psalm 24:1; Luke 12:48)

When individuals abuse authority fueled by pride and selfishness, God mercifully steps in. Harsh consequences and disorder abound when we turn rightful authority upside down. Prone to haughtiness and entitlement? Remind ourselves repeatedly whose we are, how great He is, and that we have nothing He has not given. He is the owner of all, King of kings and Lord of lords. We are merely His servants. (Ezra 1:2; Psalm 50:10-12; Daniel 4:28-37; Haggai 2:8; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Revelation 19:16)

How careful and focused are we as stewards of God’s gifts and grace? How can we manage our resources differently to better reflect His order and purposes? How might we exercise our dominion over time and finances to more intentionally upbuild God’s kingdom and multiply spiritual fruit? How honorably are we caring for His creation? What truth, light, and love do we sow to reap hope, salvation, and life transformation? (1 Peter 4:10)

Lord, make me a faithful steward of the dominion You’ve appointed. May I spend every breath for crowns to offer You in heaven, that Your name be held high and exalted in my life. (1 Corinthians 3:10-14)

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.” Genesis 1:1-5

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-5,9,14

In the formless dark before the world began, God existed, and ruled. And into that void He arrived and created light, breaking through palpable invisible chaos with the glory of His being and power. Light appeared by His word, distinguished His splendor, and was good. He completed creation, that perfect world was corrupted, and in God’s fullness of time, His Son Jesus the Light entered as Savior. (Genesis 1:6-31; 3:1-19,22-24; John 8:12; Galatians 4:4-5)

We humans nurture dark places of the soul, even when we own the Holy Spirit. Until we are like Jesus, we battle ugly thoughts and inclinations. We turn over private and secret spaces, even unwittingly, to wayward affections and callousness toward others, to godless fears and fretting. Inner turmoil screams “wretched!” and wearies our determination. But into that potent, formless drear, and corruption, and malaise, God penetrates, and separates, and radiates His magnetic light. (John 14:16; Romans 7:18-20; 2 Corinthians 1:22; 1 John 3:2)

We face unknowns, decisions without sure outcomes, and are overwhelmed with the void of clarity. What did he mean? What might happen? How shall we proceed? What if? Over our stew of uncertainty, the dark waves of engulfing waters, the Lord hovers. His eye is on us to lead, to clarify next steps, to show the way to go. (2 Chronicles 20:12; Psalm 32:8; 1 Corinthians 13:12)

What darkness looms heavy, swamping us with depression or doubt? Where do we feel a void of companionship, energy, inspiration, or love? Jesus lives! Jesus abides! Jesus the light of the world reigns! Jesus the Way shines forth hope and wisdom and glory to flush away the formless darkness all around, and to call us out us into His marvelous light! Would we seek Him? Would we come? (John 9:5; 14:6; 1 Peter 2:9)

At every glimpse of holy light, would we follow? Would we approach to worship, and take the next step, by step, to know Him better and make Him known? (Matthew 2:1-2,8-11)

Father, You know my every void and see through my darkness. Infuse my life with Your glorious, powerful presence, and have Your full way with me, so I might make much of You.

“Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem… In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. He brought in the priests and the Levites and assembled them in the square on the east and said to them, ‘Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place…’

“Then Hezekiah the king rose early and gathered the officials of the city and went up to the house of the Lord. And they brought… a sin offering for the kingdom and for the sanctuary and for Judah. And he commanded the priests… to offer them on the altar of the Lord… that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel.

“He stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment…  The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. Then Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished. When the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped. And Hezekiah and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the Lord… And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped.” 2 Chronicles 29:1a,3-5,20-21,24b-30

King Hezekiah was determined to set things right spiritually when he became king, and temple worship was first priority. After consecration of the priests, he directed offerings be made for their sin, the requirement for God’s favor. And when the burnt offering began, so did the singing and gladness. Joy always accompanied obedience.

Hezekiah opened the door to God, and led in consecration by and before Him. He saw to the removal of filth and deterrents to purity. He rose early, before the onslaught of voices vying for his attention. His mind was clear and heart set to follow God’s prescription for right worship. He led in sacrificing self, substance, and song.

We rush to prayer to recite our list and ask for help with concerns, even to ‘check it off,’ and fail to consecrate ourselves through thoughtful, sincere confession. We haste to find satisfaction and happiness and skip the step of repentance. We rattle words and generalities, but there is no substance of expectation. Always the gold glitters beyond and we chase it, but neglect the refining fire of searching and waiting that must preclude it.

Have we considered what we offer God each day, when He has done immeasurably much for us? Are we so stuffed with self-importance that we breeze up for a nod and a wave, then on by, in some perverted way thinking we have done our due? Without deliberation and serious investment, joy will be shallow. But when we near the flame, and offer ourselves whole and clean, rejoicing is beyond full.

Lord, take all of me. You are worthy of full consecration, and sacrifice, and praise.

“Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: ‘Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the Lord his God be with him. Let him go up.”’” 2 Chronicles 36:22-23

Now in the first year. God is the God of time and calendars, keeping ordered measure of His creation through days and tides, and assigning each of us to time and place on earth and in history. (Genesis 1:14-19; Acts 17:26)

Of Cyrus king of Persia. God places and deposed kings and all governing authorities. Whether they know or follow Him or not, He grants every human authority and deigns that they are in place for our ultimate good. (Daniel 2:21-22; Romans 13:1-4)

That the word of the LORD might be fulfilled. All creation exists at the breath of God, who spoke it into being and became the living Word in the person of Christ Jesus. We are born again by His living, abiding, and eternal word. Every prophecy and promise is true, and either has or will come to pass. His words are true and stand firm forever. (Genesis 1:1-3; Psalm 19:7; 33:9; 119:89; Matthew 5:17-18; John 1:1-3; 1 Peter 1:23-25)

The Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus. Almighty God has sovereign control of our world, and accomplishes His righteous purposes however He seems best and right. No matter what or who seems in apparent control, we must keep on in righteousness and holiness because only One rules over all. (Proverbs 21:1; Revelation 22:11)

Knowing that God intervened in and used the heathen king Cyrus to bring about much good for His people, how is our present outlook renewed? What disappointments or stresses about our days will we entrust to His daily planning? What doubts and trepidations about decisions beyond our control will we replace with trust in God’s sovereign control? What grouchiness, irritations, and complaints will we eliminate in light of His faithful providence in all circumstances? Would we turn mental dismissal of those we don’t like into Christ-like love through persistent, obedient prayer? (Matthew 5:44, 1 Timothy 2:1-4)

As we enter the first day of a new year, how will we approach it differently from the world? We can trust our Lord God for this new day, with hope for that day when all will be set right. He rules the beginnings and middles with His ends in mind, shaping and guiding and redeeming along the way, all for and toward His glorious culmination of time and purpose. (Malachi 4:1-3; Revelation 21:1-5)

Will we boldly, joyfully step into a new first year- alongside the heathen King Cyruses in our lives- and emulate Jesus, uphold His truth, and proclaim His excellencies and beauty?

Lord, may I glorify You this year by embracing and rejoicing in Your reign over all things, and trust Your word never to return void, but accomplish all You marvelously intend. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you… But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you… If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name…

“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” 1 Peter 4:7-16,19

We all know the clock is ticking. We are closer to death and eternity today than yesterday, and are called to live on a heavenly time table, with forever in view. In light of the end of life as we know it, whenever and however it comes, in light of our seeing the Lord Jesus face to face, how are we now to steward God’s grace and spend our time? (1 John 3:2-3)

By being self-controlled and sober-minded: faithful, ordered, and alert. By being continually filled with the Holy Spirit, squeezing out room for drunkenness on pride, emotion, or wayward affections. By being prayerful, turning to and relying on the Lord. (Psalm 121:1-2; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 5:15-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

By actively keeping on in genuine and generous love toward others. By exercising patience, kindness, humility, forbearance, forgiveness, honesty, courtesy, hopefulness, trust, and perseverance among those around us. By putting away arrogance, boasting, and resentment, instead building up with encouragement and truth. These are possible as we follow the example of Christ Jesus and allow Him to love through us. (John 13:15; Romans 12:9-10; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15; 1 John 4:19)

By extending hospitality and grace. By offering time and an open heart to listen and value, and an open home that welcomes, refreshes, and consoles. (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2)

By exercising God-given gifts to build up and bless the church, our communities, our workplaces, and our homes. By energetically implementing skills for the work He has ordained for us to do. (Romans 12:5-8; Ephesians 2:10; 4:11-16)

How will we adjust our agenda in light of limited time, and the hope of facing our Lord? Do we flag in apathy or sloth, or entrust our strength and zeal to the Lord we will soon face? Serving with eternal perspective is subversive in this world, and may draw criticism and rejection, but doing good pleases the worthy Creator. (Romans 12:11; Hebrews 12:12; 1 John 3:2)

Lord, in light of the end, may I be thoughtful and intentionally faithful today. Help me live out Your character and show forth Your glory.

“In the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had cleansed the land.., [Josiah] sent… to repair [and restore] the house of the Lord his God… While they were bringing out the money that had been brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord… and gave [it] to Shaphan. Shaphan brought the book to the king…

“When the king heard the words, he tore his clothes.., ‘Our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord…’ ‘Thus says the Lord,.. because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words.., and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord…’

“Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders.., all the people both great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found… [He] stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments.., with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book. Then he made all who were present… join in it… And Josiah took away all the abominations that belonged to the people of Israel and made all who were present serve the Lord their God. All his days they did not turn away from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.” 2 Chronicles 34:8,14-16a,19,21,24a,27,29-33

Earnest Josiah, the king foretold three centuries earlier, set his heart to seek God when he was yet a boy. He served Judah according to the light he had, but when the Book of God’s law was found and read, it changed the way he built his life. Its truths brought conviction, humble fear, and action in this wise leader, engendering blessing and new commitment for him and his people. It captured them for all his days in a beautiful, benevolent stronghold. (1 Kings 13:1-2; 2 Chronicles 34:3; Psalm 36:9)

For us, the Word is readily available as our light, making a difference every day for every step. We might hide it away, falsely assuming that previous study or early knowledge suffices forever, but power comes from expending effort to find and read it today. Its living words are designed and able to warn, instruct, expose, cleanse, and strengthen. (Psalm 19:7-11; 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12)

How easy it is to get caught up in the building and maintaining of busy lives! We tuck the Word back to get lost and dusty on a shelf behind more urgent responsibilities, we fill minds and schedules to crowd it out, we misplace and try to substitute its vitality. We neglect God’s word altogether because we’ve decided, consciously or not, that there are more important things. And we are the weaker for all.

Do we set out daily with a bang of motion, expending energy on tasks that do not matter, or first search the Scriptures to direct our priorities? How will we fill our personal temple of the Spirit with the Word, and commit to its statutes? How distinct, radiant, and influential our lives would be if the Word took precedence! (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)

Father, may Your Word have its way with all my heart and soul, all my days.

“Manasseh reigned fifty-five years…  and did what was evil.., according to the abominations of the nations. He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had broken down, and erected altars to the Baals, and made Asheroth… He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. He burned his sons as an offering.., and used fortune-telling and omens and sorcery, and dealt with mediums and necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger… Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before Israel.

“The Lord spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention. Therefore the Lord brought upon them… the army of Assyria, who captured Manasseh with hooks and bound him with chains of bronze and brought him to Babylon. And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly… He prayed.., and God was moved by his entreaty… and brought him again to Jerusalem… Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.

“Afterward he built an outer wall for the city of David.., and raised it to a very great height. He also put commanders of the army in all the fortified cities in Judah. He took away the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built.., and he threw them outside of the city. He restored the altar of the Lord and offered on it sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and he commanded Judah to serve the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 33:1-3,5-6,9-16

Decades of depraved idolatry, sorcery, blasphemy, and steering a nation away from the LORD. Manasseh was by every appearance and practice irredeemable. Rebuffing God’s mercy-sent prophets proved a heart hardened beyond softening and a life beyond repair. But nothing is impossible with God. Relentless in His pursuit, and acting in so only He could receive the glory, the Lord hooked and chained His way into the recesses of Manasseh’s conscience, and transformed him. (Luke 1:37)

None is too distant that the Almighty cannot pursue and redeem. When God goes after a lost soul, He will not cease until He has accomplished His saving work. He uses whatever necessary to ensure complete turnaround and surrender.

Have we so distorted our worship and sin-sullied ourselves that we believe we’re lost forever? Does shame or regret restrain our ‘yes’ to God’s nudges and pulls? His mercy is sufficient to cover our sin, and His grace powerful to vanquish its inclination. Once His eye is set, He will not give up. How long until we surrender? (Hebrews 10:12-14; 1 John 1:9)

Do we try to dictate or limit the ways God woos His own? Would we recognize and rejoice that He uses both proclamation and bronze chains, feathers and whips, and prescribes what is necessary to bring about His holy ends? (Malachi 1:2)

Whom do we long to awaken to His salvation call? Do we faint in prayer, impatient with their resistance? While we may not understand how or why God tarries, we can trust He will be glorified best by His marvelous plan. (Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 6:18; James 5:16-18)

Lord, may I never give up hope for Your possibles. May I pray without ceasing, and with sure expectation, for the sake of Your glory.

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do…

“’I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world… For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me… While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them… I have given them your word… I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them.'” John 16:1-4,6,8,12,14,26

Jesus, in His seemingly young and short life, persisted in every particular of the work He had been sent to do. He was timely, measured, and focused, and knew as His earthly ministry drew to a close that He was right on schedule. Being continually about His Father’s business, He wearied Himself with long days, but never tired of doing the work. Intent on God’s will, He was never frustrated or over-burdened, but in fact knew He had glorified Him in carrying out His assignment. (Mark 6:31-32; Luke 5:16; John 4:6)

As we close a year, it is wise to look back and consider how we have handled the time God has given. Over the months, have we worked His work or our own? Are there things undone that we can tend to this day? Are there missed opportunities that weigh heavy, but that we need to confess, leave with Him, and leave behind?

Looking ahead, what new vistas for His glory might the Lord have in store? What would it take for us to be able to rest each night knowing we have accomplished the work God had for us to do that day? If every morning we committed every hour to Him in prayer, that we might manifest Him and His truth, He would direct and ordain our steps. If our intent is to glorify Him with the authority He has entrusted to us, and honor His name above and in spite of our own, His Spirit will guide our decisions. He will honor an earnest desire to guard His causes, His people, and His work, for His glory. (Psalm 32:8)

How wholeheartedly am I working the Lord’s work? Do I grow weary in doing good, or of doing good? When God calls me to a certain task, where does my focus- on my audience, my motive, or my desire- need adjusting, so that I am doing all as unto Him? (Galatians 6:9-10; Ephesians 6:7-8; Colossians 3:23)

Lord, may my work be wholehearted and complete in every way, so that the world may know that You sent me, and love them. (John 17:23)

“Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign…  And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done.  He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper…

“God helped him against the Philistines and the Arabians and the Meunites. The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread.., for he became very strong. Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem… and fortified them. He built towers in the wilderness and cut out many cisterns, for he had large herds,.. and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil. Moreover, Uzziah had an army of soldiers, fit for war… In Jerusalem he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.

“But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar. Azariah the priest went in after him, with eighty priests of the Lord who were men of valor, and they withstood King Uzziah and said, ‘It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests… Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the Lord God.’ Then Uzziah was angry.” 2 Chronicles 26:3-5,7-10a,11,15-19a

The Lord is generous and gracious in favor to His children. At an early age, king Uzziah sought Him, following his father’s example. With God’s help, he prospered with his military and bolstered his defenses, skills, and reputation. His fame spread throughout the region but began to seep its stain on his heart. It’s hard to know what exactly made him turn- a famous victory? An accolade or tribute? The ease of prosperity? A sense of having arrived, or being indispensable, or singularly important? Maybe it was a slow growing belief that he had done this himself.

His heart was not whole. The constant drip of success brought a trickle of pride that, unstopped, made its insidious way in and saturated his instincts and reason. He dabbled in what he had no right to touch, and his thickening callouses refused God-sent correction.

The Lord has His eye on mankind and our individual hearts. He delights to help, but will not share His glory. He recognizes the slow spread of pride, and goes after us in mercy and love. He longs to set us free from encroaching self-sufficiency so we are free indeed to keep Him first. (Isaiah 42:8; Zechariah 9:1b; John 2:24-25; 8:34,36)

Have I crept into that hideous and dangerous place of thinking too highly of myself, or that I own those things over which I am merely a steward? Where am I ignoring God’s warnings, His kind checks of conscience? Would I regularly practice gratitude, and state my insufficiency before His all-sufficiency? (Romans 12:3)

Lord, may I remember daily that every success is yours. May I trust wholly in Your help, and give You praise for every goodness from Your hand. May others always see and say that You have done it. (Psalm 22:30-31)