In the Year that King Uzziah Died, I Saw the Lord
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted, and His train filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1, KJV)
The death of King Uzziah, an ancient King in Judah who once followed God but then fell from grace, conveys a profound spiritual lesson. His story reveals that we must let go of certain parts of our lives to allow greater blessings to flow. Perhaps this idea is new to you, so let us delve into why Uzziah’s death marked a significant transition in Israel’s history and Isaiah’s life.
Known for his remarkable achievements, Uzziah erred by assuming the priest’s role, offering incense in the Temple. Struck by God with leprosy, he lived in isolation until his death while his son assumed the throne( 2 Chronicles 26).
In the year that Uzziah died, Isaiah saw the Lord’s glory. This narrative is more than a mere historical account of Uzziah’s life. God put it there to teach a vital spiritual principle: dying to oneself opens the path to glory and life. Sometimes, old things must die for new and often better things to flourish. Our human nature, of course, detests and resists this process, often clinging to the familiar while yearning for the new.
For instance, when I got married, the Lord showed me that I had to die; otherwise, something good would die in my life. Without surrendering my ego, interests, ways, or will, I could endanger my relationship with the woman of my dreams the Lord brought to me. God knows how many marriages have died and are currently dying because the husband or the wife is still alive— neither partner is willing to die to self.
King Uzziah’s death might symbolize different things for each of us. To some, it may represent an ungodly sexual relationship they cling to; for others, pride, bitterness, procrastination, greed, anxiety, etc. King Uzziah stands for anything we hold onto that goes against God’s word, hampering our ability to embrace His greater blessings.
When you let go of your “King Uzziah,” you will experience a new chapter filled with God’s glory, inspiring awe and gratitude.
Meditate
What does King Uzziah symbolize in your life?
Apply the Word
Is the Lord urging you to relinquish control in a specific area? Trust Him and follow Jesus, saying, “Not my will, but Thine be done.”
Pray
Ask for God’s grace to die to self so that you may truly embrace the joy of life.
Recommended
- How to surrender to God and see His glory
- I die daily
- How to Kill the Flesh
- What does it mean to die to self?
- How to Yield to the Holy Spirit
- View All Deshen Daily Devotionals
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