“What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.” (2 Chronicles 35:21, NLT)

One of the most difficult challenges we face is to be used by God without it going to our heads. An unbroken string of successes can set us up for a fall. The problem is pride, and we all have it. Pride was responsible for the failures of many of Judah’s best kings. David numbered the people; Solomon ignored God’s warnings; Uzziah offered incense in the temple; Jehoshaphat joined with the house of Ahab; Hezekiah showed off to the Babylonians; and now Josiah meddled in a battle that was not his own.

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18, NKJV)

Josiah brought about more spiritual reforms than any other king of Judah, but he died a premature death because he did not heed the good counsel of Pharaoh Necho of Egypt. Josiah thought he knew better and did not even inquire of the LORD. Anytime we think we can skip prayer in an important decision, we had better think again. Prayerlessness usually has its root in pride. We think we can rely upon ourselves rather than relying upon God.

The apostle Paul warns us:

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.” (Romans 12:3, NIV)

Thinking of myself with sober judgment means that I know I can do nothing by myself. I must abide in Christ and rely on His grace, strength and provision in everything.

May God help us to be content with our portion and the measure of faith God has given us. If God blesses us with success, then let us diligently watch over our hearts lest we fall prey to the disease of conceit.