“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

“But when he was strong (King Uzziah), his heart was lifted up to his destruction…” 2 Chronicles 26:16

King Uzziah started as one of the good kings of Judah. He was sixteen when he began his reign. He started out “serving the Lord,” and he was mentored under the prophet Zechariah. King Uzziah was brilliant. He defeated the Philistines and Arabs and built fortified towers. He invented “engines” with his skilled men… “Engines that could shoot arrows and large stones from the city walls.” He was a “tiller of the soil,” and loved by all. The Amorites even paid tribute to him. But, he became proud, and his heart was lifted up. He went into the temple of God and decided that “he” should burn incense on the altar, which only the priests were allowed to do. Azariah, a courageous priest, and 80 other priests went to stop him from burning incense, which “only the descendants of Aaron were allowed to do.” But his pride took over. While he went into a rage at the priests, leprosy came over him, beginning at his forehead and he ran out of the temple. He was a “leper” and had to live in a separate place until the day of his death. He was no longer allowed to enter the temple of the Lord. God hates pride. He loves a humble and contrite spirit. Pride is worse than leprosy. It will keep us from God’s greatest blessings. Have a great day, and let’s keep our heart humble before the Lord. Sherry