Tuesday, September 22, 2009

TURNING YOUR EYES AWAY FROM GOD

“Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.” (Proverbs 3:7 NIV)

There is a story in the Old Testament about King Uzziah who was blessed, because “he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord”... (2 Chronicles 26: 4) The Bible says “He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God.” Therefore, we can concur that this young king had a mentor who helped him grow in God’s law. Today we call them teachers. How many of you are blessed to have godly people helping you understand God’s word through bible studies? It is a blessing to have Christian men and women teach God’s Word and king Uzziah had such a person.
We learned that Uzziah had one requirement, that is “as long as he sought the Lord, he would be successful.” (2 Chronicles 26:5). Sometimes my friend, with success comes a heap of responsibility and character is tested. When we turn our eyes from God to this world –things are bound to go wrong.

The events of Uzziah’s life are impressive with regards to his accomplishments: he built towns; fortified towers, dug cisterns and God helped him against his enemies. He became famous and powerful amongst his neighbors. (v. 8)

What led to his downfall? He took his eyes away from the God who had given him success and power. The story of king Uzziah of Judah starts out in success, but ends up in defeat. The word of God says, that he became very powerful and his “pride led to his downfall.” (v.16)

“He went into the temple of the Lord and he burned incense on the altar of incense. Only the descendants of Aaron, who had been consecrated for this task, were allowed to do this. The courageous priests of the Lord confronted the king and told Uzziah to leave, because he had been unfaithful and had dishonored his Lord. Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead.” (vs. 18-19) The end result was a life of solitude and separation for king Uzziah. He had leprosy until the day he died. (v. 20)

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE TURN AWAY FROM GOD?
To the believer, there are consequences to pay. We know we have a forgiving Savior who paid the price for our sins. Yet, if we continue sinning knowing we are doing so, be ready to pay the price on Judgment day. (See Revelations 21:8) The Bible says: “ while there is time and we see the day approaching let us turn to our Lord in obedience, not conforming to the desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But live holy lives.” (1 Peter 1:14-15)

My friend, these stories and many others are written for us to learn from, so that we may grow in God’s love and abide in Him. Let us follow His ways with reverential fear knowing that we all have to give account for what we do.
Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

And keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. (Matthew 24:42)

God Bless.