Imagine if God punished us for our sins with the immediate wrath and judgment we deserve! If God did so there would be no opportunity for repentance, redemption, or salvation. In all these things God delights. It is well observed in Psalm 103:8-12, "The
LORD is merciful and
gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not
always strive with us, nor will He keep His
anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens
are high above the earth, so great is His mercy
toward those who fear Him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."
After being severely chastened by the LORD for seven years, a notable king's understanding returned to him. He had this to say of God and His ways in Daniel 4:37: "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down." Forgiveness of sin does not mean the consequences for sin are also removed. Aaron and Miriam murmured against Moses, and God struck Miriam with leprosy for her sin. Moses begged God to heal her, and after seven days outside the camp she returned whole. Uzziah's case is another story.
King Uzziah was a good king who was greatly helped by God. Yet when he became strong his heart was lifted up with pride and transgressed by offering incense God commanded only the priests to offer. As he offered incense, Azariah the high priest confronted him with 80 other priests. Instead of recognising his error and repenting, Uzziah was furious. Being lifted up with pride he would not humble himself before men, so God struck him with leprosy on his forehead. I imagine his fierce countenance instantly changed when he saw the looks of horror on the faces of the priests coupled with the numb sensation he felt on his face. 2 Chronicles 26:20 reads, "And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the LORD had struck him." Uzziah slowly died of the disease, living in isolation. His pride led him to going beyond the bounds set for him, and then ironically was unable to fulfil the calling God had upon his life.
How many times have we transgressed? How many times have we become angry when confronted by others for our sins? How many times have we deserved to be struck with leprosy or thrust immediately into hell for our pride and subsequent transgression! Praise the LORD He is merciful, gracious, and slow to anger, abounding in mercy. These qualities ought not to embolden us to sin because there are many examples of God's fearsome judgment in scripture. Uzziah was angry at the messengers and God returned his sin - quite literally - upon his own head. Having been purged from sin, let us not proudly walk therein. LORD, cause me to humble myself in repentance when my sin is exposed, and especially when you use people to do it.
After being severely chastened by the LORD for seven years, a notable king's understanding returned to him. He had this to say of God and His ways in Daniel 4:37: "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who walk in pride He is able to put down." Forgiveness of sin does not mean the consequences for sin are also removed. Aaron and Miriam murmured against Moses, and God struck Miriam with leprosy for her sin. Moses begged God to heal her, and after seven days outside the camp she returned whole. Uzziah's case is another story.
King Uzziah was a good king who was greatly helped by God. Yet when he became strong his heart was lifted up with pride and transgressed by offering incense God commanded only the priests to offer. As he offered incense, Azariah the high priest confronted him with 80 other priests. Instead of recognising his error and repenting, Uzziah was furious. Being lifted up with pride he would not humble himself before men, so God struck him with leprosy on his forehead. I imagine his fierce countenance instantly changed when he saw the looks of horror on the faces of the priests coupled with the numb sensation he felt on his face. 2 Chronicles 26:20 reads, "And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the LORD had struck him." Uzziah slowly died of the disease, living in isolation. His pride led him to going beyond the bounds set for him, and then ironically was unable to fulfil the calling God had upon his life.
How many times have we transgressed? How many times have we become angry when confronted by others for our sins? How many times have we deserved to be struck with leprosy or thrust immediately into hell for our pride and subsequent transgression! Praise the LORD He is merciful, gracious, and slow to anger, abounding in mercy. These qualities ought not to embolden us to sin because there are many examples of God's fearsome judgment in scripture. Uzziah was angry at the messengers and God returned his sin - quite literally - upon his own head. Having been purged from sin, let us not proudly walk therein. LORD, cause me to humble myself in repentance when my sin is exposed, and especially when you use people to do it.
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