MAY 30, 2013
The
Tragic Flaw
Read: 2
Chronicles 26:3-15
His fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he
became strong. —2
Chronicles 26:15
In
literature, a tragic flaw is a character trait that causes the downfall of a
story’s hero. That was true of Uzziah, who was crowned king of Judah at age
16.
For many years, he sought the Lord; and while he did, God gave him great
success (2 Chron. 26:4-5). But things changed when “his fame spread far and
wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong. But when he was
strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction” (vv.15-16).
Uzziah
entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar (v.16),
openly
defying God’s decree. Perhaps pride convinced him that God’s rules
applied to
everyone except him. When Uzziah raged against the priests who
told him this
was not right, the Lord struck him with leprosy (vv.18-20).
In
literature and in life, how often we see a person of good reputation fall
from
honor into disgrace and suffering. “King Uzziah was a leper until the
day of
his death. He dwelt in an isolated house, . . . cut off from the house
of the
Lord” (v.21).
The
only way we can prevent the nectar of praise from becoming the poison
of pride
is by following the Lord with a humble heart.
Humility’s a slippery prize
That seldom can be won;
We’re only humble in God’s eyes
When serving like His Son. —Gustafson
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is
tested by the
praise he receives. —Proverbs 27:21 NIV
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
