DCLM Daily Manna 2025: DCLM Daily Manna 12 February 2025: The Hand of God
Text: 2 Chronicles 26:1-15 (KJV)
1 Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
2 He built Eloth, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
3 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also was Jecoliah of Jerusalem.
4 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Amaziah did.
5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
6 And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines.
7 And God helped him against the Philistines, and against the Arabians that dwelt in Gurbaal, and the Mehunims.
8 And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroad even to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthened himself exceedingly.
9 Moreover Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the corner gate, and at the valley gate, and at the turning of the wall, and fortified them.
10 Also he built towers in the desert, and digged many wells: for he had much cattle, both in the low country, and in the plains: husbandmen also, and vine dressers in the mountains, and in Carmel: for he loved husbandry.
11 Moreover Uzziah had an host of fighting men, that went out to war by bands, according to the number of their account by the hand of Jeiel the scribe and Maaseiah the ruler, under the hand of Hananiah, one of the king’s captains.
12 The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.
13 And under their hand was an army*, three hundred thousand and seven thousand and five hundred, that made war with mighty power, to help the king against the enemy.
14 And Uzziah prepared for them throughout all the host shields, and spears, and helmets, and habergeons, and bows, and slings to cast stones.
15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
KEY VERSE: 2 Chronicles 26:5
“And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.”
In modern times, the term, ‘The hand of God’, was made popular by a goal scored by the Argentine soccer legend, Diego Maradona, against England during the 1986 FIFA World Cup. As Maradona later admitted, the goal was scored with his hand and was only allowed because the officials did not notice the foul play. The footballer himself called the goal, “the hand of God”, which obviously trivialized its real meaning. In the eyes of Scripture, “the hand of God” is a metaphor for the omnipotence of God and His intervening power.
One copious beneficiary of the “hand of God” as contained in today’s text is Uzziah (also known as Azariah), the son of Amaziah. He was only 16 years old when he became the king of Judah and reigned for 52 years. He started well by seeking God sincerely, and in return, was greatly helped by God. He became very successful, influential, and prosperous and was able to bring significant transformation to Judah in terms of military might, infrastructural development, and agricultural excellence.
Uzziah achieved this feat for as long as he was submissive to the Lord and under the tutelage of Zechariah, a faithful and wise counsellor, whose death turned out to be most unfortunate for Uzziah and Judah. It is blessed indeed to benefit from the privilege of such a guiding light that has “understanding in the visions of God”. Even though Uzziah, whose name means “the Lord is my strength,” later became presumptuous and suffered for it, his story confirms the fact that God “is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
The hand of God is still at work today for all who seek and walk with Him. If you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you. He will strengthen, defend, provide for, and prosper those who obey Him. You should also not neglect, but appreciate the privilege of true spiritual mentors whose examples and guidance help to constantly keep your feet on the straight and narrow road to heaven.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Exceptional consecration and excellent accomplishment are bedfellows.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Mark 4-6
Daily Manna 12 February 2025
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