Grace Notes // When We Were Kings Part 2
Week 11 // The Downfall of Success
Written by Kelly Burton
“There is a favor available for the humble because they know where their help comes from.”
-Chris Moerman
2 Chronicles 26 tells the story of King Uzziah (or Azariah, if you read the story in 2 Kings 15). Uzziah was an impressive king. He came to power at age 16 and ruled for 52 years.
There are two distinct chapters in Uzziah’s life. The first part of Uzziah’s rule was marked by success. He clearly had favor in his kingship. He was given wisdom in agriculture and technology. He won wars and rebuilt towns. Foreign dignitaries brought him gifts. Eventually, Uzziah was had fame throughout the land.
During that time in Uzziah’s life, he had a mentor named Zechariah, a prophet. Zechariah instilled in Uzziah a fear of the Lord, and as long as Uzziah sought after God, he was successful.
The second season of Uzziah’s life, however, is a much different story.
“His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful. But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall.”
-2 Chronicles 26:15-16
Uzziah had been unfaithful to God and went into the temple to light incense. When he was confronted by the temple priests and told to leave, Uzziah went into a rage. As he was raging at the priests, he broke out in leprosy, which he had,for the rest of his life. Uzziah spent his remaining days separated from his family and unable to enter the temple of the God he once feared.
We tend to understand that we are tested in times of hardship. When we face failure or disappointment and things aren’t going well, we are aware that we need God in those moments. But that isn’t the whole story.
“A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold is tested in the furnace, but people are tested by their praise” Proverbs 27:21
Uzziah’s downfall didn’t come from his failure – it was triggered by his success. If you want to see what’s really going on in our hearts, give us power, praise and notoriety. It’s when our lives are in an upward trajectory that you can really see our hearts and how easily we forget that it is God we need. It’s easy to remember our need for God in our failures, but harder to do so in the face of success. That’s where humility comes in.
Kingdom humility is not self-flagellation. It focuses less on how bad you are, but instead on how good God is. It is knowing exactly who God made you to be, nothing more and nothing less. When you start seeking that kingdom humility, you realize that your vision expands, because you start to see that God’s vision is so much bigger and better than yours.
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6.
The Lord gives a special favor to those who humble themselves. Because as soon as we become secure in our own success and our own self-sufficiency, we have forgotten where our help comes from. If you are content walking in your own favor, you will not seek out God’s favor.
There are three practices you can do in order to grow in humility:
CELEBRATE OTHER’S SUCCESS
Other’s successes are not your failures. To grow in humility, cheer on someone else when they’re winning, especially if it may feel like a loss to you. Cheer them on, pray for them, and acknowledge the amazing thing God is doing in their life.
SERVE THE LEAST
In Luke 9, the disciples are arguing about who among them is the greatest. Jesus tells them that the greatest is whoever welcomes this small child, “for it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.” To learn humility, go serve the one who can do nothing for you. Or even better, the one who you don’t want to serve. As you learn to serve and love the least of these, you will become more like Jesus.
KNEEL BEFORE THE LORD
Get on your knees and physically kneel before the Lord. Throughout scripture, people bow and kneel before the Lord. Even when you don’t feel it, posture yourself in humility before God and acknowledge that you are powerless on your own.
God does not want you to walk in shame, guilt and condemnation. He wants to give you the favor and provision that is available for those who know Him. . God’s desire is that you would have a healthy understanding of who He is leading you to be and that your reliance needs only Him.
Reflection
Think about the last time something went great in your life, what was your response? Did you thank God for the blessing and move on?
Pray to God about a success or blessing currently in your life. Ask Him to guard you against pride and for His help in stewarding His blessings.
Try to practice one of the three ways to grow humility this week
Reading
2 Chronicles 26
2 Kings 15
James 4:46
Proverbs 27:21
Luke 9:46 – 48