Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 26:5 (New Living Translation)

5 Uzziah sought God during the days of Zechariah, who taught him to fear God. And as long as the king sought guidance from the Lord, God gave him success.

This is part of the (hi)story of the kings of Judah, i.e., God’s people. Here we have King Uzziah—a pretty good king. While Zechariah was around, Uzziah feared, respected, and followed God. This fellow named Zechariah was sort of a mystery. We aren’t told of his official title. In the above, he seems to be a teacher in that he taught the king, and “taught” is something a teacher does.

And there is the matter of success. What does it mean to be a success or to have success? Uzziah was king. Wow! That sounds pretty successful. I can hear one of his aunts standing around talking with aunts on the corner saying, “You know my nephew is so successful. He happens to be king. Did you know that?” As if the other aunts wouldn’t know who was the king.

As long as Uzziah followed the teachings of Zechariah, God gave him success. So there is success beyond achieving kingship. And there is being a failed king. Yikes. Failing as the king takes a lot of people down with you.

Anyway, success came when the king sought the guidance of God and followed the teaching of a godly man. Sounds pretty simple.

Want success in life? How do you get success? It is pretty clear here. Seek the guidance of God and listen to godly teachers. I think that still applies today. God, help me to follow the guidance.