When Blessings Become Traps

Solomon, Hezekiah, and Uzziah were three remarkable kings who began by seeking God and received extraordinary blessings – Uzziah power, Hezekiah wealth, Solomon wisdom and prosperity. Yet each allowed those very blessings to draw his heart away from God. Their greatest danger came not when they were struggling, but when they were succeeding. "But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall." (2 Chronicles 26:16) "But Hezekiah's heart was proud and he did not respond to the kindness shown him." (2 Chronicles 32:25) "As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God." (1 Kings 11:4) Isn't this a warning for us today? When life is difficult, we recognise our dependence on God – we pray, seek his guidance, and acknowledge our need for his help. But when things go well, when finances improve, careers flourish, and plans succeed, something subtle can happen: we begin to trust our own abilities, take credit for our achievements, and forget the One who made them possible. Moses warned Israel that when their wealth increased, their hearts might become proud and they would forget the LORD (Deuteronomy 8:12-14). The danger is not prosperity itself, but the pride prosperity can produce. Our greatest spiritual test is often not how we respond when God withholds blessings, but how we respond when he gives them. (Nicky B). Open Bible – bit.ly/2Ch26v16, bit.ly/2Ch32v25, bit.ly/1Ki11vs4, bit.ly/Deu8v12-14