God of Uzziah

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You would have heard of God of Abraham, God of Isaac or God of Jacob. But this day, I want you to know something very different. God of Uzziah!

Did you know that Bible recognizes Uzziah by two names – Uzziah (2 Chr 26:1) and Azariah (2 Kings 15). This is clear from the fact that both of them took the throne at the same age, reigned for the same number of years, and had the same father, namely Amaziah.

1.                   He is a God who can use anyone irrespective of any conditions
II Chr 25:27 ‘----- but they sent after him to Lachish and killed him there.’ Here we find Uzziah’s father, Amaziah, was murdered. Why was he murdered? We’re not very sure. However, it must have been God’s plan as he turned from following the Lord. I was just thinking how this 16-yr-old Uzziah would have felt at this time. His father is dead, not just dead, in fact murdered. No wonder, he would have thought the people of the land would kill him too. He would have been panic and afraid.

However, something unexpected happened. God took note of this young boy. The same people of Judah who killed his father had confidence in his 16-year-old son Uzziah. Amazing, isn’t it? I just wonder how God can turn any situation if He wishes to favour you.

Yes, dear friends, God can even use young people to achieve great purpose. You need not wait until you are thirties of forties. Uzziah reigned and ruled millions of people in Judah when he was just 16 years old. Let me tell you, if you are ready to be available for God, God is willing to use you, no matter what is your age.

2.                   He is a God who can bless you beyond your imagination
The second thing I would like to draw your attention to is that he can bless you beyond your imagination. His thoughts and plans for you are higher than yours. You can never limit God’s blessings to the circle you have drawn for yourself.

No doubt, Uzziah was a good ruler and according to II Chr 26:5, he was helped much by a godly prophet named Zechariah. And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper

Uzziah was blessed by God during his reign and he accomplished several things. He was blessed in all things he put his hand. His military reign prospered. Financially his kingdom was established. He brought about a green and white revolution. He constructed forts and built many water reservoirs (2 chr 26:6-15). Oh my goodness! What a list of deeds being attributed to one man.

Moreover, II Chr 26:3 says that he reigned for 52 years. It is the second longest reign of any king of Judah. He reigned until he was 68 years old. Although, Uzziah was born in a royal family he would have least imagined that he would become one of the most popular kings of Judah. His 57-year reign had brought stability and security and prosperity to Israel. He was without doubt one of the finest kings Judah had ever had.

Friends, just like Uzziah, if you seek the Lord, God will bless you too. Not to a small extent, beyond your imagination!

3.                    He is a God who can undo the blessings
Third thing about the God of Uzziah is little frightening. He is a God who undo the blessings. Uzziah was greatly blessed by God. But he failed to attribute his blessings to God. He became proud of his achievements and did not glorify God.
        
We are told, ‘But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction’ (26:16). Never forget to be humble, irrespective of any heights you may reach. If you take pride in yourself, the same God who lifted you to great heights will push you down the ladder. That was the greatest mistake Uzziah did. He forgot from where his strength came. He transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense (II Chr  26:16)

When he transgressed against God, God was kind enough to send people to warn him. Azariah the priest and 80 other courageous priests confronted him face to face. But Uzziah would not repent.

God’s punishment fell on him. The punishment he received for his transgression was huge and lasted all his life (2 Chr 26:19). He was struck with leprosy.

Closing Thought
He reigned not for just one or two years, but for 52 long years. He served as a good leader, a good man and continued to prosper. But he was filled with pride. Hence, God struck him and he was finally remembered only as a leper. If alone he had remained humble?

Yes dear brothers and sisters, just like Uzziah, God can use us, irrespective of our situation, our age or barriers. He will bless us, bless us beyond our comprehension. But look at his end. So pitiful! He died a death of a leper. Beginning such a blessed life, his own pride made him end his life with a curse.

 ­- Sunitha Justin 

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