On August 7, 1979 I finally reached that long-awaited age of 16 and that meant one thing—driver’s license! Yep, all my friends had been driving for months and now it was my turn to join the ranks. My parents, though, didn’t seem to be as enthusiastic as I was about the prospect of me climbing behind the wheel of a car. Go figure!
Despite my assurance that I could now run errands for them, take my brother and sister to wherever they needed to go, and that I would no longer need them to shuttle me everywhere, they simply didn’t seem to be thrilled that I would be driving. Something about increased insurance premiums, and not being able to relax until I was home, etc. were apparently a few of the reasons for their not-so-enthusiastic acceptance of this important right-of-passage.
Once I received that little piece of plastic giving me the legal right to operate a vehicle, it soon became obvious that I would need some help if I wanted to go beyond the city limit signs. That help would have to come from my dad, whose sense of direction still puts any GPS to shame!
In order to have a car of my own, I had to get a job. I worked on the weekends and during the summers to pay for it. My job was in one of the local hospitals about 30 minutes from our home. I remember asking my dad to give me directions which he did. He gave the best directions, telling me how to avoid traffic and which areas would be the easiest to navigate but also those which could prove troublesome. As long as I followed his directions, I never had any difficulty going to work or getting home safely.
In 2 Chronicles 26:3-5 we are introduced to King Uzziah, who, at the ripe age of 16, wasn’t worried about driving; his concern was in governing a people. If ever there were a time to ask for directions this would be it. And that is exactly what Uzziah did. In this passage we read, “Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother’s name was Jekoliah; she was from Jerusalem. 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.”
There are three important statements about Uzziah in this brief passage that provide great insight for us. First, we are told that Uzziah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. This is a very telling statement for someone who is only 16 years old. He didn’t know everything, in fact, he knew nothing about what it meant to be a king. But he knew that as long as he obeyed the Lord, and did what was right according to him, his reign would be successful.
Second, he sought the Lord. Before making policy, before entering into agreements, before entering armed conflict, and before making any decision, Uzziah asked God for directions. He trusted and knew that God would make sure he avoided traffic and difficulty areas and would see that he and his people remained safe and sound.
Third, Uzziah was successful, not because of what he did and not because of what he knew, but because he consulted God in everything. This is the great secret of walking with God. We are to seek him daily, even hourly, because the road ahead is filled with all types of dangers we cannot see. When was the last time you asked God for directions? Before you start today’s journey, don’t you think you should?
