STRENGTH BECOMES WEAKNESS

Image result for CLIPART SHOWING WEAKNESS  I surely do wish in my readings about the kings of Israel and Judah in 1 and 2 Chronicles and 1 and 2 Kings, that I had kept count of the number of times that I saw the phrase or some rendition of it, "But after______ became powerful, his pride led him to his downfall."  

Uzziah is the man of the hour as the king of Judah. He becomes king at age sixteen and reigns for fifty-two years.  He is also known as Azariah.  He has rebuilt and restored cities in Judah.  He has reinforced walls of cities, and has a well-trained army. Scripture records that " He did was was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done."   He is prosperous and famous "far and wide".  He seems to have to been able to wear success UNTIL the glaring attitude and behavior of presumption (pride and arrogance) is set up. He decides to trump the role of the priest, Azariah, and burn incense on the altar of the Lord.   When he is stopped and confronted with the censer in his hand ready to light the incense, "leprosy broke out on his forehead."  He is hurried out of the temple.  He now gets to live in a separate house and has leprosy until the day he dies. 2 Chronicles 26, 2 Kings 15.

The year is about 792 BC....here we are in 2017, and the  selfsame spirit of pride is staggeringly  blatant and very alive.  One does not have to have wealth and fame to have the bloat of pride.  Our abilities under the control of the Spirit of God manifests strength. However, the abilities under the control of flesh (SELF) manifests weakness!  Whichever spirit we "feed" is the spirit that will control.  The spirit of pride is very subtle for it camouflages over many emotions.  The antidote?   HUMILITY!  I will humble myself under the mighty hand of God knowing that HE resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:6-7  Graves' paraphrase.  Watch out for white spots on the forehead! LOL! Forever learning.  In process, still. #IHAVETHREESONS

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