Marvelously Helped Until...

The Bible never masks the flaws in people.  It confirms to man what his conscience already knows to be true:  no one is perfect.  Jesus Christ is the only righteous one, the Lamb of God without blemish or spot.  There is no "cult of personality" concerning the kings, prophets, and others who placed their faith in God.  The Bible reveals weakness, foolish choices, sin, and pride.  It shows us that although we can have our sins cleansed through faith and repentance in Jesus by grace, we still live in a body of flesh.  The potential for wandering from God is real for us all.

Take the case of King Uzziah, for instance.  His fifty-two year reign in Judah taken as a single body of work was good.  He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD (2 Chron. 26:4).  2 Chronicles 26:5 reads, "He sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper."  God made Uzziah to prosper as long as he sought the LORD.  God helped Uzziah defeat the Philistines and the Arabians (2 Chron. 26:7).  King Uzziah was given a great reputation and became well established.  He strengthened his defenses, dug wells, planted vineyards, and had an army with quality weapons and armour.  The Bible says they "...made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy." (2 Chron. 26:13)  2 Chronicles 26:15 tells us, "And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong."  King Uzziah was helped by God, Zechariah, his army, servants, workers, and skillful inventors.  He was wonderfully helped until he became strong.  The strength and might of Uzziah would lead to his downfall.

The Bible doesn't just show us his smiling face like in some propaganda posters of government leaders, where everyone is smiling and happy.  It paints the picture of a real man.  Because he was flawed, Uzziah is someone I and all other flawed people can identify with.   2 Chronicles 26:16 continues:  "But when he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the LORD his God by entering the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense."  King Uzziah transgressed by performing the role of a priest in violation of the Law.  When he was confronted by Azariah the high priest and 80 valiant priests who opposed him, Uzziah was angry.  He was a mighty king.  He would not be corrected by another man!  It was pride in his heart which lifted him up that led to disgrace.

As Uzziah fumed with rage any would oppose him, God struck him with leprosy on his forehead.  He would not be corrected by men, so God chastened him.  God showed grace in not striking Uzziah dead immediately for his sin!  Uzziah fled from the altar of incense and lived the rest of his days in solitude until his death.  Was God's hand shortened that He could not restore Uzziah's health as He had Miriam and Namaan the Syrian?  No.  We do not read of Uzziah repenting or seeking healing from God.  He was not buried with the kings, but in a field of the kings because of his leprosy.  Instead of being known as "the man God marvelously helped," in death he was "Uzziah the leper."  We live in a world that defines us with our faults, but God views us on account of our faith.  If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Even though we receive this forgiveness, there are often still consequences of sin to be dealt with.

What a great exhortation for humility we see here!  Paul learned that when he was weak, then he was strong.  He was not strong in himself, but in his weakness God was able to strengthen Him wonderfully.  We don't need to try to create an impeccable persona, or pretend we are without faults.  Our call is to repent and seek to honour God continually in faith.  God loves us because of His grace and goodness.  He chastens and corrects those whom He loves.  He has sent us the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower us to live for His glory.  Instead of being lifted up with pride, may we be humble and thankful.  Let us live in such a way that the "until" is stricken from our lives so God is free to marvelously help!