In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah the son of Amaziah, king of Judah, began to reign. He was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jecoliah of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away. The people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places. And the LORD touched the king, so that he was a leper to the day of his death, and he lived in a separate house.
2 Kings 15:1-5
Father, the life of Azariah (Uzziah) was not perfect. His pride and foolishness resulted in You rebuking him with leprosy (1 Chronicles 28:16-21) and having to live separately from those whom he loved and cared for. Yet, when his life was summed up, he pleased You.
That is real encouraging because I know that I blow it sometimes. Worse are those times when I mess up and You discipline me. I know I should do better, but my pride and stubbornness get in the way. And before I know it I’m going down a path I shouldn’t go, saying something I shouldn’t say, or committing to do something I shouldn’t do. I give You no other choice but to discipline me. Then, there I am, whining and crying about my situation, when I am to blame for it! Duh!
It is in times like that, in situations like that, when I am most grateful for the grace that is mine through Christ Jesus. The fact that His sacrifice wipes away all of the sinful stains of my past – my acts of arrogance, selfishness, lust – and replaces them with Your unending, never failing love is remarkable! To think, my Savior paid the price for all that I have done that is not pleasing to You. Because of this I can be imperfect and still experience Your favor! I can be spanked by You and know that I am still loved (because You spank those You love, Hebrews 12:5-6). When You see me, You see Jesus (Galatians 3:27)! I don’t deserve a love as great as this. But I am sure thankful!
Thank You for looking past my faults, flaws and foibles. Thank You for meeting my needs with the precious blood of Your Son. As I live out my day today, I do so to put a smile on Your face, glorify You in my living and loving, demonstrating, in gratitude, how big a God You are by pouring out the same love and forgiveness into the life of someone else. Amen.