But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the LORD his God by entering the sanctuary of the LORD’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar. [2 Chronicles 26.16]
Uzziah was not unlike many others who rose to power and then became proud.
Power is a tricky deal. If we could see into the spiritual realm, we would quickly understand that pride always migrates toward power. Where there is power, pride lurks in the shadows nearby.
Power and authority are necessary in the governance of human beings. People need leaders.
True leaders are those who have managed their own lives in a way to safeguard against pride. They understand that their leadership is not for them, but for those they lead. They comprehend the fact that God is Ruler of All and that all people are His. The best leader is one who sees himself as a tool of God's power to accomplish God's will (which is always good) in the lives of those he leads.
A real leader, in God's eyes, is one who understand that although he leads in God's will, he is not above God's ways and is, in fact, subject to God's will as well. This is where Uzziah made his mistake. Instead of honoring God's system of Temple worship, Uzziah took responsibility that was not his to take - that of a priest.
Father, help us to understand, when we find ourselves in positions of leadership, that we are simply doing Your will and not our own.
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