King Uzziah accomplished a lot, but failed in the one area that truly mattered.

Excerpt from today’s reading:

About every seventh day, you’ll have the chance to pause and reflect on what you’ve been learning. You can use the following devotional to guide your reflections if you’d like. And don’t forget to share what you’ve been learning from the Daily Walk Bible on Facebook or Twitter! —

Daily insight:

There were no headlines in Uzziah’s day, but if there had been, they might have read: “Teenager Takes Over Reins of Government.”

At the tender age of sixteen, the boy-king Uzziah began a reign that would eventually stretch more than half a century. Barely old enough to drive a chariot, Uzziah suddenly found himself steering an entire nation! Armed with a healthy fear of God, a robust commitment to do what was right, and a circle of godly advisers, Uzziah wasted no time “going to school” on his nation. Here’s how his report card might have looked, according to 2 Chronicles 26:

Achievements: He “declared war … and broke down the walls of Gath, Jabneh, and Ashdod” (v. 6).
Architecture: “He built new towns … fortified towers … and dug many water cisterns …” (vv. 6, 9, 10).
Agriculture: “He kept great herds of livestock … He had many workers who cared for his farms and vineyards …” (v. 10).
Armed forces: He had an “army … of 307,500 men, all elite troops” (vv. 11, 13).
Accolades: “His fame spread far and wide, for … he became very powerful” (v. 15).

Straight A’s in his kingly curriculum, to be sure. And yet, when the final report card was in, Uzziah had failed in the role of king because “when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall” (2 Chronicles 26:16). Arrogance and presumption later in life resulted in his being stricken with leprosy and dying a tragic death.