July 7

2 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 26
In our reading from Chronicles, we read in verse sixteen that 1after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God.  Up to this point Uzziah had had great success and he had followed the Lord.  Unfortunately, his success was also his failure.  How many are blessed by God and then, instead of giving Him the glory, they become puffed up and take credit for what the Lord has done?  This is why Jesus said it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than it is for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle.  He’s using hyperbole, but the point is clear.  If we are blessed with the ability to attain riches there is a very great temptation to become prideful in what we have accumulated and in our own ability.  There are precious few who are able to deal with the responsibility that comes with money or fame.  I’ve often wondered if that is why the good Lord has not blessed me with either.  Perhaps He knows that it would be more than I could bear, even though I think differently.