Until He Became Strong

Back from a looooong Thanksgiving Break! Actually, my parents are here with us, but I am trying to resume a sense of normalcy...whatever that is! Homeschooling is always a bit challenging with visiting family in the house, but we are somehow churning out lessons anyway...by the grace of God, no doubt! There has been an increased need (or perhaps an increased awareness in Keith and me) for disciplining our children the last few weeks. It has been difficult. But we are seeing fruit. Yesterday, one of my girls told us at the dinner table that she was thankful for the disciplining because she was seeing her own heart change as a result. That was a much quicker response than I'd expected! But as I've been in the midst of counseling my girls through their discipline, I've been struck by the human heart's pride and rebellion. We want so much to be strong. Yet God will oppose us in our proud strength. These are words I go over again and again with my little ones. "God opposes (is against) those who are proud, but gives grace to the humble.....Do you want God to be against you or giving grace to you?" They usually answer, "um...give grace to me?"

So I was reading in II Chronicles today and read these words, which nearly jumped off the page..." And his fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong. But when he grew strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God...." Chapter 26:15b-16a These words describe King Uzziah, who began his rule of Judah at age 16. He followed the Lord until he chose to enter the temple to burn incense, which was only for the priests. God immediately struck him with leprosy, and he remained a leper until he died. Pride leads to destruction. But God gives us grace if we humble ourselves. How anti-cultural this is in America. So many books on self-promotion, starting with children's books. Authors even try to convince us by "Christianizing" their methods. But Jesus does not model this. He took the form of a servant, and humbled himself even to death. And God exalted Him. It is when we are weak that we are strong. How this looks for me is that I often must cease striving for perfection...which I can't attain anyhow. I must humble myself, and agree with God that I am dust, in need of His great Hand of power. If I begin to excel at something, I think, "that was pretty good, now if I can just keep doing that...everyday....until I die....UGH!" The weight of that pressure to keep up until my last breath is overwhelming. But when I lower my head and reach up to God, sometimes literally crying..."Help, Lord...I am incapable of completing this task alone" I have found God strengthens and sustains me for the task. This is especially important for me to grab ahold of right now, during this busy holiday season. There will be things I need to lay aside that I think are necessary. God will show me as I go. I want God's help, not my own mortal strength! I pray I will not let pride lead to my downfall, but that I would keep a posture of humility before the Lord, that I might find grace to remain faithful to Him.