PRIDE

“Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

How many times have you said, “I want you to see what I did? Look at what I grew, what I made; what I wrote; what I built; or what I fixed?” Really? Did you do all that? Did I? Yes, we did—BUT—we must never forget the force, the wisdom, the power that made it possible to do whatever it is that we are able to do! It is not just “I”, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” writes James (4:6) as he reiterates Solomon in the Book of Proverbs. (3:34)

Pride has been a stumbling block since the beginning. It was an issue for Adam and Eve as they ate from the tree in the middle of the beautiful garden that God had created for them. He had told them that they were not to eat from that tree but the “old deluder” told them that was not so, and their pride then told them “I can do it”, and sealed their fate and ours. (Genesis 3) From then on we have been locked in a battle between pride and humility which is a spiritual battle as Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-20; “For our battle…is with the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens…take up the full armor of God…” (Vs 12, 13)

Moses warned the descendants of the people he led out of bondage and slavery from Egypt, who were about ready to cross over the Jordan River into the land that God had promised His chosen people saying, “be careful that your heart doesn’t become proud and you forget the Lord you God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.” (Deut. 9:14) This is a warning for each of us yet today—be careful do not forget the Lord your God…

We have come a long way since the beginning of time. I think we call it “progress.” But, has it been because of our own ingenuity? Our own quality of cleverness, originality or inventiveness? Yes, but not entirely, our pride wants us to think it is, but humility tells us something else. Pride separates us from God and humility gives us a relationship with Him. You see, without recognizing that God wants a relationship with us we lose any lasting abilities He has given us. Thus, the lesson of the Israelites. God sent Moses to set them free from their slavery. Yet, they began to grumble and complain—over and over again. They forgot all the miraculous things they saw as God led them away from danger. As a result they lost their lives before obtaining God’s promise.

My question for you today is, do you want to lose God’s promise of eternal life with Him? There is a second exodus promised to each of us who maintain a loving relationship with God and our neighbor. One day the trumpet will sound calling us home and I for one want to be ready to cross over. How about you? Don’t let pride stand in your way. Being stiff-necked will not save you. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Dear Lord, make me humble in Your sight. Make me a pleasant fragrance and a shining light to those around me, whether friend or foe. Blessed be today as I walk with You on the way to the Promised Land. In Jesus’ Precious name I pray. Amen