Sunday I wrote about seeing myself like God sees me. Like Abraham, I faced facts but was not discouraged. Monday’s post was about God’s timing and not taking matters into my own hands.

Yesterday the topic was “change.” I don’t like change. My dislike is so strong that I didn’t write the post until this morning! Then I had to make a change.

I wanted to comment on another blog. Unfortunately, the comment showed my personal Facebook profile picture. It was of David and I dressed up for a 50’s themed dinner. It was not the image I wanted next to my first comment on this blog!

It took me 40 years to accept my curly hair. My profile pictures everywhere else were of my hair after it was cut and straightened. They were also two years old. I pulled up a recent picture of myself, sitting at my desk, with my natural curls. I accepted what I look like today and replaced all my profile pictures with it.

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Today we read of Uzziah changing. Only he did not change for the better! When he was crowned king, he:

• Behaved well, v. 4.
• Followed in the footsteps of his father, v. 4.
• Was loyal to God, v. 5.
• Sought God, v. 5.
• Was trained by his pastor, v. 5.
• Was reverent, v. 5.
• Was obedient, v. 5.
• Lived a godly life, v. 5.

The result?

• God prospered him, v. 5
• He became well-known, v. 15.
• He became famous, v. 15.
• Everything went his way, v. 15.

Then he changed.

• The strength and success when to his head, v. 16.
• He became arrogant and proud, v. 16.
• He became contemptuous of God, v. 16.
• He walked into the temple like he owned it, v. 16.
• He took over, v. 16.
• He burned incense, v. 16.
• He rebuffed the priest, v. 19.
• He lost his temper, v. 19.
• He spoke angry words, v. 19.
• He quarreled, v. 19.

“It’s not enough to do God’s will, you’ve got to do it God’s way.” Steven Furtick, 1 Min Motivation, 4-25-2018

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2 Chronicles 26:18, “They confronted Uzziah: ‘You must not, you cannot do this, Uzziah – only Aaronite priests, especially consecrated for the work, are permitted to burn incense. Get out of God’s Temple; you are unfaithful and a disgrace!’ ” The Message

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“The Law of Moses stipulated that only the priests could perform ritual sacrifices (Numbers 3:5-10)….The common Near Eastern belief was that the most significant person in the community should also be the one to represent the people before the god….Judah’s king Uzziah (Azariah) was trying to act like the other kings of the ancient world by burning incense on the altar of the temple, (2 Chronicles 26:16-20).” Chronological Study Bible Notes

The result?

2 Chronicles 26:21, “Uzziah had his skin disease for the rest of his life and had to live in quarantine; he was not permitted to set foot in The Temple of God….” The Message

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Proverbs 22:4, “Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” New International Version

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