Finish Strong

August 18, 2021·Rebecca Rodriguez

In this week’s Pause Bible reading, we learn a lot from Israel and Judah’s kings… from their mistakes and pitfalls, as well as from their victories and accomplishments. Their greatest accomplishment being fear of THE ONE TRUE GOD! Whenever a king would repent, get rid of idol worship, and rebuild the Temple of the Lord, prosperity would come over their life and the kingdom. 2 Chronicles 26:5 says, “… As long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.”

This promise was spoken specifically over King Uzziah, but God was faithful to offer the same opportunity to the king’s predecessors and successors. He even offers the same promise to us today! He invites us to seek His guidance, not for His benefit, but our own. So we may have success, be restored, and healed.

King Uzziah (like other kings) started off well, but didn’t finish strong. Although he started his life and reign as a man who feared God and sought the Lord’s guidance, he became proud, and this pride led to his downfall.

“His fame spread far and wide, for the Lord gave him marvelous help, and he became very powerful. But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall” (2 Chronicles 26:15-16).

There were a handful of kings that did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight, but only a few carried it out until the end of their days. Why is that? When you read Isaiah, you find out that it’s no easy feat. God desires His people to live a life that:

Gives up its evil ways
Learns to do good
Seeks justice
Helps the oppressed
Defends the cause of the orphans
And fights for the rights of widows

Am I the only one who is overwhelmed by that list? I think it’s supposed to be daunting, because you and I can’t accomplish this on our own (that’s pride). We must humbly seek the Lord. He alone can give us success in giving up our evil ways, in learning to do good, seeking justice, etc. My encouragement to you is to ALWAYS seek God’s guidance! Be careful to obey Him, so He grants you true success that pursues you all the days of your life. FINISH STRONG, FRIENDS!

Rebecca Rodriguez