The Feed Mill

Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 26-29

Today’s Devotional: 2 Chronicles 26:1-15

Walking with the Lord in difficult times, Uzziah had a long reign of 52 years, Uzziah became king at the age of 16. Uzziah came to the throne at a very difficult time and season in Judah and Jerusalem. Amaziah, his father, had begun and started out his reign only later to depart from the Lord and follow after his pride and achievements by setting up for himself the idols of the nations “which could not rescue their own people from his hand.”

Amaziah’s pride further brought Judah into direct conflict with the Northern nation of Israel, Israel because of Amaziah’s pride, came against and broke down a large section of the walls of Jerusalem and raided the House of the Lord along, the king’s house and possessions, and took hostages for which Amaziah was assassinated for.

So Uzziah was placed on the throne in the midst of all of this and sought to remove the things which would take Israel captive and into slavery. Uzziah goes a step further than Amaziah, his father, as long as he sought the Lord. The ammonites recognized Uzziah as king and that God was with Him, and there was a new generation of mighty men of valor as well as skillful men that the Lord had given understanding and knowledge of divers mechanics and practical devices for the offensive and defensive uses which Uzziah utilized and was a good steward of all the Lord blessed him with… verse 5, as long as Uzziah sought the Lord, God marvelously helped Uzziah to be an example to the people of Judah until he became strong; verse 15, or until he was strong in his own eyes, prideful.

It’s so sad Uzziah became just like his father Amaziah. A huge factor is that Uzziah built up these offensive and defensive purpose to establish and build up the people of Jerusalem and Judah so that they would not be carried away captive, but he never removed the high places. Uzziah never removed the things which the peoples own hearts would go after and be distracted of instead of the Lord, Uzziah went only half way. He started well, but did not finish. Uzziah was an example of not allowing others to come in and deceive us and lead us astray with deceit and slavery, but he did not go the extra step in being an example of how to protect our hearts and minds from what we may build up and place on our own as our center focus instead of the Lord.