Read 2 Chronicles 26

Seeking The Lord

In studying the kings of Judah, one sees highs and lows in many of their lives. There are some who start out on the right foot, such as Uzziah, but through time they change and end up in a bad situation. Uzziah began his reign at the age of sixteen and stayed on the throne for fifty-two years. “And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 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” (2 Chronicles 26:4-5).

What does it mean when the inspired writer says that Uzziah “sought the Lord”? Certainly it does not mean that he simply did what he thought was right without consulting the Law of Moses. Uzziah was not merely following a gut feeling or a faulty conscience. He was seeking to do that which God revealed through inspiration!

The same is true today. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Who does God reward? “Those who diligently seek Him.” Not those who do what they think is best, or what their preacher says without double-checking the Word for themselves, but “those who diligently seek Him.”

The Scriptures reveal that Uzziah was successful for many years against the Philistines, the Arabians, the Meunites, and the Ammonites. God blessed Judah for many years while Uzziah was on the throne “as long as he sought the Lord.” There came a time, sadly, that Uzziah stopped seeking the Lord.

“But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense” (2 Chronicles 26:16). Pride led Uzziah to do what he should not have done.

Pride is one of the most dangerous temptations because it makes us feel invincible, like nothing can touch us. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). If we continue seeking the Lord and do not try to put ourselves ahead of Him, we can keep ourselves in check and be blessed.