But when he was strong his heart was lifted up

“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.” - 2 Chronicles 26v16

Uzziah was a brilliant leader in the land. His army grew, he set up watchtowers out in the desert and he even had new weapons developed that could fling arrows and stones from the top of the watchtowers on the enemies. He supported agriculture and had new wells dug and supported farmers and shepherds. Judah was becoming a mighty power and verse fifteen says that Uzziah was made strong.

In verse sixteen it all changes. When Uzziah became strong his heart was lifted up and he sinned by trying to take on the priestly role. His pride led him to try and do things that God did not want him to do. His job was to be king, not priest, but in his strength he thought he could do whatever he wanted.

There is a real danger in strength. Strength can too easily led to pride as it did with Uzziah. Perhaps that is why God tells us in the New Testament that God uses the weak, the base, and the foolish things of this world. When he uses these things they can only glory in the Lord.
Let us rejoice in our weakness and beware in our strength.