In this sermon, the speaker tells the story of Balaam and his donkey from the Bible. Balaam is tempted by the king's offer of wealth and power, but his donkey keeps veering off the path. Balaam beats the donkey multiple times until the donkey finally speaks up, questioning the fairness of the beatings. The speaker uses this story to highlight the importance of staying faithful to God and warns that forsaking God will lead to trouble and defeat. The sermon emphasizes the need for individuals and nations to rely on God's help and not become independent from Him.

F.B. Meyer emphasizes that the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to fulfill the prophecy of the return of the Jewish captives from Babylon, as foretold by Jeremiah and Isaiah. He highlights the importance of prayer, as exemplified by Daniel, in influencing leaders and initiating divine movements. Meyer notes that while God can stir hearts, obedience is essential, and sadly, only a few of the Jewish captives responded to the call to return. He encourages believers to rise up and act whenever they feel a divine stirring in their lives. Ultimately, the sermon calls for faith and responsiveness to God's leading.

K.P. Yohannan reflects on the life of King Uzziah, who, despite his young age and inexperience, sought God's guidance and prospered due to his humility. However, as he grew strong, pride crept into his heart, leading to his downfall when he violated God's laws and was struck with leprosy. Yohannan warns that this story serves as a serious reminder for believers and ministries to guard against pride and remember their humble beginnings. He emphasizes that forgetting where we came from can lead to a loss of God's grace, which is essential for our spiritual journey. The sermon encourages maintaining humility and dependence on God to avoid the destructive path of pride.

Harry Ironside delivers a powerful sermon on King Uzziah of Judah, illustrating the peril of success and pride. Uzziah began his reign by seeking the Lord and prospered greatly, but as he grew strong, he became prideful and attempted to usurp the priestly role, leading to his downfall and leprosy. Ironside emphasizes the importance of humility and dependence on God, warning that success can lead to self-satisfaction and rebellion against divine order. The sermon serves as a reminder that true success comes from recognizing our limitations and relying on God's strength, lest we fall into pride and face judgment. Ironside calls for believers to learn from Uzziah's life to avoid similar pitfalls.