FINISHING WELL
God help us to “Finish Well”
II Chronicles 26:1-7
The great preacher H.A. Ironside often said he wanted to finish well. People remember how you finish not how you start. We all probably know some who started with a bang only to fall by the way side. King Uzziah with Gods help had a great start. It takes God to start well but it also takes God to finish well. Uzziah started with God but in time transgressed. Let’s take a look at his start and finish.
His Start:
I. THE PROBLEM: vss.1-6
We have here a threefold problem:
A. THE FINALITY OF DEATH:
In 2 Chronicles 25:27 Amaziah his father was killed. Thank God he helps us when we face death. This left Uzziah heir to the throne
B. THE FRAGILITY OF YOUTH: 2 Chronicles 26:1 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah. Certainly a 16 year old would need Gods help running a country.
C. THE FORCE OF THEIR ENEMY: 2 Chronicles 26:6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
The Philistines were always a strong enemy against God’s people.
II. THE PROTECTION:
2 Chronicles 26:7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
God became his fortress. It was only by the hand of God that Uzziah was able to defeat the enemy, and it is still that way where we are concerned. It appears that some of these battles were fought in enemy territory. We as Christians today fight in hostile territory Paul said in Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. We fight against the prince of darkness.
III. THE PROSPERITY: vss.8-15
God is blessing Uzziah.
A. WE SEE HIS FAME: 2 Chronicles 26:8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
B. WE SEE HIS FORTUNE: 2 Chronicles 26:10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry. Verses 12-15 further speak of the prosperity of Uzziah. It is easy to see Gods hand was on him. What a great start he had and for many years was Gods man.
His Finish
I. THE PRIDE:
2 Chronicles 26:16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense. We must be careful
that we remember we are where we are only by God’s help. How tragic when we think we are something. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
A. THE REASON FOR HIS PRIDE: v.16 his heart was lifted up to his destruction:
God always gives the orders, when we take things into our own hands we always fail.
B. THE REACTION IN HIS PRIDE: 2 Chronicles 26:19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense:
He became angry when he was rebuked for his sin
C. THE RESULTS OF HIS PRIDE: vs. 19b and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.
II. THE PUNISHMENT: vss.17-23
A. THE SOURCE OF HIS PUNISHMENT: 2 Chronicles 26:20b yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.
B. THE SERIOUSNESS OF HIS PUNISHMENT 2 Chronicles 26:21a And Uzziah the king was a leper unto the day of his death, and dwelt in a several house, being a leper;
C. THE SEVERITY OF HIS PUNISHMENT: v.21b for he was cut off from the house of the LORD: and Jotham his son was over the king's house, judging the people of the land.
What a great start Uzziah had only to loose it all through pride. This is just one way. Many great men have fell because of a woman, some to strong drink, some to money, some to fame and many other things. God help me to keep an eye toward heaven and my heart fixed on THE GREAT I AM.
Morristown, TN