Reading the truth of 2 Chronicles in the Holy Book is like
watching a ping pong match: One king “did what was right in the eyes of the
Lord…”, his son “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord”…and his son “did
what was right in the eyes of the Lord until he became successful…” Etc., etc., etc., down through all the cotton
pickin’ ages. (As an aside, this puts to
flight the idea that there are any absolutes in the scrappy business of
parenting).
So across court the ball bounces to Uzziah, son of Amaziah
(who ended badly, by the way…Amaziah “did what was right in the eyes of the
Lord, but not wholeheartedly”). It’s
looking hopeful with Uzziah. This young
man became king at age 16. He sought
hard after God, and even had the privilege of sitting under the teaching of the
great prophet Zechariah. He built
towers, dug well, planted vineyards. In a
word, he prospered, both inwardly and outwardly.
God gave Uzziah whopping success. Any 21st century man would read
about him in Fortune magazine and be green with envy.
Then, smack.
“His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped
UNTIL HE BECAME POWERFUL. After Uzziah became powerful his pride lead to his
downfall.” 2 Chronicles 26:15-16
I absorb these words and smack…knees hit the floor. I assume the only right posture when you’ve
been blessedly warned. And I say to a
Father who lives in unimaginable light and holiness: “I don’t want to go that
way. But I know I could. Unless you rescue me from pride I’m headed for that side of the ping pong table.”
The thing about pride is this: you don’t see it in
yourself.
How did that other king, the great shepherd king, escape
Uzziah’s lot? How did David, despite
some really dumb moves and wretched twists and turns, end on a note of grace?
As far as my limited understanding can grasp, I think it’s
because he stayed tight with God. He
asked for vision to see his own folly. “Forgive
my hidden faults” is a mighty powerful request and David made it. God once sent the prophet Nathan to point a
big fat finger at that royal chest when he was blind to his elaborate
pride. David didn’t argue or have the
prophet killed (which lots of kings did when they didn’t like a particular
message). David spoke these liberating
words, the beginning of a turn back to wisdom: “ I have sinned against the Lord…”
God only knows what that revelation saved him from.
Or what it could save any of us from.
Your friend on the pilgrim road,
Loriann
