ATTITUDE OF KINGDOM PEOPLE

                        Attitude of Kingdom people [2 Chron 26]

God exists as King. Therefore, we are not simply worshippers but we are the citizens of the Kingdom of God. Similarly, the Church is not just an assembly of worshippers , it is an assembly of active citizens who contribute to the Kingdom. Therefore, the Kingdom is very important for the Church. We do not simply get information and teaching but we see, enter, progress in and establish the Kingdom.

God wants to see what he has begun come to a culmination. He began His Kingdom; rule on earth with the words

Let there be light..

This was the sowing of the seeds of the Kingdom. He established His plan for the Kingdom at this very juncture. Hence, the Church being the agent of this Kingdom cannot be defined as simply a group of Sunday worshippers or singers or meeting-goers.

            We are a people engaged in the Kingdom, for the Kingdom.

How does a citizen play his role?

At the outset, it is important to keep in mind that the Kingdom is not a narrow dimensioned rule. It encompasses within itself the natural as well as the spiritual perspective. This is important for the Church because it functions in this kind of a Kingdom.

2 Chron 26 contains the account of King Uzziah who began his reign over Judah at the young age of sixteen and reigned 52 years over Judah. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord. Also, contained within this passage is a glimpse into a people who understood their role as citizens of the Kingdom of God.

Uzziah did not become King himself but he was ordained by wise people of the Kingdom. He followed the decision of the wise people. Such Kingdom people are a people of revelation and wisdom. Here, they saw and put God’s will into practice. In the Kingdom of God, His Will works.

He accepted  the decision of the people. When someone knows that his work is pre-ordained from above, the results are different. Therefore, a sixteen year old ends up reigning for 52 years. It is a combination of God’s wisdom, His anointing, His revelation as well as his skills that cause Uzziah to succeed beyond measure. He used all of it to the fullest measure, thus exhibiting his maturity.

It just goes to emphasize the fact that a Kingdom person is not just a happy-go-lucky person. He always walks with planning. He knows that the Kingdom does not come at random. Hence, Uzziah’s decision to trust the counsel of the Kingdom people was key to his success in fulfilling his role as King. And this is how the citizens of the Kingdom played an important role in bringing the Will of God into manifestation.

Uzziah, the King – His Characteristics

1.     He was the one who rebuilt Elath and restored it to Judah after Amaziah rested with his ancestors. [2 Chron 26:2]

Kingdom people believe in rebuilding. It is a symbol of God’s favour, grace and His lovingkindness. They do not accept the end as the end.

2.     He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.    [2 Chron 26: 4,5]

He established righteousness in the Kingdom. Kingdom people are never compromising. The Kingdom brings righteousness. If we want to see righteousness in the world systems and individuals, we need to allow the Kingdom to come and transform them. Kingdom people are strong people and hence, are capable of standing up for the Kingdom.

3.     The verses referred to in the second point also indicate that Uzziah worked under a prophetic spirit. Zechariah was his constant guide. Prophetic people are secure people. Prophets are not astrologers but they see what God is saying and take His people there. They are helping ministries not controlling ministries. They functions towards providing support, encouragement, inspiration and strength. They do not scare people but assist people in getting across a challenge. And that is exactly what the Bible works towards.

The Bible doesn’t tell when the storm is coming but that we have to overcome the storm.

Furthermore, prophetic ministries also bring a new direction and build up the Church. Just as the Church exists to save and build, prophets do the same.

4.     He also built towers in the wilderness and dug many cisterns, because he had much livestock in the foothills and in the plain. He had people working his fields and vineyards in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil. [2 Chron 26:10]

The Kingdom is holistic. Uzziah promoted agriculture/cattle rearing. Others kings hadn’t done this. This shows how the Kingdom involves actions not just proclamation.

He repaired, restored, and gave strength to weak corners. Hence, he brought security. We have to highlight this Kingdom to the world not by using force. God is love and it is this love that compels people to follow.

A Warning

Uzziah made a mistake. He tried to become someone he wasn’t. 2 Chron 26: 16- 19 informs that –

But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, and entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense. [v.16] They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the LORD God.” [v.18]

 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the LORD’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead. [v.19]

He wasn’t ordained to present the fire. In spite of warnings he didn’t pay heed to them. And this resulted in God’s wrath upon him in form of leprosy. It is important to remember that if we move away from where God want us, we will fail.

Conclusion

It is therefore, important to understand that as citizens of the Kingdom we need to keep our eyes focused upon the Kingdom that we are a part of. We need to discern and follow God’s will. We need to understand the prophetic Spirit as also the holistic nature of the Kingdom. Only if we do all this and not move away from the boundaries of the Will of God, will we see the fullness of God’s Kingdom manifest in this World and its system.