Uzziah, a gift

Uzziah, a gift

by Heather Collver

2 Kings 15:1-7 Uzziah^a]">[a] son of Amaziah began to rule over Judah in the twenty-seventh year of the reign of King Jeroboam II of Israel. ² He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother was Jecoliah from Jerusalem.

³ He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, just as his father, Amaziah, had done. ⁴ But he did not destroy the pagan shrines, and the people still offered sacrifices and burned incense there. ⁵ The Lord struck the king with leprosy,^b]">[b] which lasted until the day he died. He lived in isolation in a separate house. The king’s son Jotham was put in charge of the royal palace, and he governed the people of the land.

⁶ The rest of the events in Uzziah’s reign and everything he did are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah. ⁷ When Uzziah died, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. And his son Jotham became the next king.

Uzziah was the son of Amaziah, who ruled Judah. Amaziah worshipped God during most of his reign, but later turned from Him. This led to his death. 2 Chronicles records the lives of the many kings of Judah and God had blessed them when they worshipped Him. This book also records what the Kings of Judah were expected to do during their reign on the throne. They were to obey God’s laws, eliminate places of idol worship and make no alliances with other nations.

Uzziah was crowned King of Judah after the death of his father. At the age of 16, Uzziah had a lot of work to do. God had raised him up as King and gave him the needed gifts to do so. Uzziah was considered wise, pious, and powerful during his 52 year reign has King.

There are times in our lives that we strive for more. We want more power, success, influence. There are so many things we are “shopping” for. Our focus in out instead of up. Our energy is spent wishing and hoping for things we do not have. What would happen if we were to accept that the gifts we are given are to be used for God’s glory. Our gifts are who we are and have been given to us to equip us for a mighty work in His name.

This week you will see the mighty reign of a gifted King. You will see how his focus brought him down to a place of isolation. He wanted more. More than a King.

Dear Lord, I pray that we will truly bind your words on our hearts this week. That we will heed the warning we see in your living Word. I pray that we will not miss the mark or take what we want and leave the rest. That we will truly focus on you and be willing to be the tool you created us to be, not one that is bigger or better or shinier or more powerful, that you would be glorified.

Please pray for those in our lives who, by their own authority, have power over us. May they seek the face of God, and return with great wisdom that will guide their journey as a great person of authority. May our nation be led by one that is wrecked and shaped and molded according to God’s will and not his own.