The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

2 Chronicles 26:3-5, 15b-16a, “Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in

Jerusalem; and his mother’s name was Jechiliah of Jerusalem.

4 And he did right in the sight of the LORD according to all that his father Amaziah had done.

5 And he continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he

sought the LORD, God prospered him,” and “…his fame spread afar, for he was marvelously helped until he was strong.

16 But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God…”

Not everyone, who starts out right finishes and wins the race. If 16 years old seems a bit too young to be anointed king, you and I are thinking along the same lines. But, it was the way of those in Old Testament times. Most of the time it had to do with lineage.

Yet, sometimes the one who proved his courage in winning a battle was sufficient for exaltation to the high office of king.

Not everyone who starts out well ends up the same way. The kid who was the last to be chosen for the sandlot ball team and ends up winning the game by hitting a three-run homer, is certain to be the first-chosen the next time the boys decided to play.

But a cranky attitude and a smug pride will ultimately sidelined him from all future games.

Uzziah was that 16-year-old boy who became king. He followed the footsteps of his father, Amaziah, and did right toward the LORD. The verse above tells us that “as long as he sought the LORD, God prospered him.” But it was then his heart became flooded with pride. He trusted his own instincts and overstepped his boundaries when he barged into the Temple of the LORD and behaved corruptly and unfaithfully toward the LORD. His ending was totally the opposite of his beginning.

That can happen to us! King Solomon wrote, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling” (Pro. 16:18).

Pride can occur right in the pulpit. Years ago, I witnessed a young preacher, who started his message with the credible appearance of true humility. Hardly into his message, he looked at the clock on the wall and said, “Wow, only 10 minutes gone! We’re really movin’ now.” In that instant, pride took over, and whatever message the LORD had given him, was replaced with the stuttering, mismanagement of words that pride itself had inserted. Be faithful to the LORD! Study and share only His Word with those who need Him. He will bless! He is faithful! And He tramples pride beneath His feet as He leads us into glorious paths of spiritual righteousness.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”