But

"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 prosper.” (2 Chronicles 26:5)

At the tender age of sixteen, Uzziah, also called Azariah, reigned as king after his father's death. Scripture reveals that he did what was right and pleasing to the Lord, just as his father did (v. 4). He built a mighty army, fortified surrounding cities, built towers, dug wells, multiplied his livestock, and, being a lover of agriculture, had many workers who cared for his farms and vineyards. God would cause him to prosper if he did that which was right and pleasing to Him.

What a powerful little three-letter word: but. Sentence structure uses the word “but” sometimes to introduce a phrase contrasting a statement already made, such as King Uzziah's case. He became mighty because of the Lord’s help, and his fame spread everywhere. But, with his gained power, he became prideful. And his pride led to his downfall. Uzziah attempted to burn incense in the temple, a duty ascribed to the priests only. The king was angry that the priests dared confront him.  And as he stood next to the altar of incense with a censer in his hand, the eighty-one priests watched as leprosy broke out and covered the king’s forehead—smitten by the Lord (v. 19–20). Following the Law, the priests barred Uzziah from the temple because of his uncleanness, and he lived his remaining years in isolation. He put his son in charge of the palace, governing the land. Uzziah reigned fifty-two years and died, buried in the kings’ field. Though King Uzziah had performed mighty, God-honoring acts for Judah's people, they said of him, “He was a leper” (v. 23). That’s how they remembered him.

As you follow and faithfully serve the Lord God, enjoy His blessings. Be careful not to give room for a “but”—one highlighted misdeed that could diminish or erase all your excellent and honorable acts. Guard what God entrusts to you; let your faithfulness to Him be what others remember of you.