Stay Strong in the Lord
2 Chronicles 26:16 Uzziah started his rule over Judah following the Lord, but as he gained prosperity and strength, he forsook God, which caused leprosy. Like Uzziah, we can become conceited leading to our fall.
6/16/20261 min read
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 (NKJV)
After Amaziah died, his son Uzziah replaced him as king and sought the Lord all the days of his advisor, Zechariah, who taught him to obey God. Uzziah became king at sixteen years old, ruling fifty-two years, and after the death of Zechariah, became conceited because of his strength. He had no regard for God when he entered the temple to burn incense on the alter which only the priests were allowed to do. Even after he was warned by Azariah the priest, he pressed forward to burn incense, and the Lord struck him with leprosy, separating him from the people of Judah.
It is of the flesh to become conceited in our own strength, saying "look what I have made", taking the credit for what God has done in our lives. God made us, and we are made strong because of his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” This is a direct call to draw strength from God’s power, not from our own resources. When we give God all the glory for our strength and success, He continues to prosper us, keeping us from the leprosy that weakens us.
Choose to stay strong in the Lord, giving Him all the glory for who you are, and looking to Him to guide you to do His will. Recognize that true strength comes from God, who empowers you in your daily challenges. Engage in regular prayer, thanking God for all you have, and meditate on His word to deepen your relationship with Him. When you choose to stay strong in the Lord, you are protected against the leprosy of conceit, empowering you by God’s might, bringing you endurance, joy, peace, and victory in His power.