Proverbs 16:18 (English Standard Version)
18(A) Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride leads to arrogance and arrogance to the hardening of one's heart. When we find ourselves arrogant in the things of life we find ourselves relying on our own capabilities and less on God for direction. This usually leads to a lot more harm than good as one can imagine! The Bible tells us that man's knowledge is but a breath to God. Though our mortal life expectancy seems to be increasing over time due to the advances made in medicine and technology our lives are still but a fleeting moment compared to God's existence. God is eternal. He was and is and always will be. Should we put our trust in man, or God? Man who has a very limited perspective and experience of the ways of the world,or an all knowing God who has the foresight of eternity to add to His credentials?
Before your leap off the cliff into the abyss of your own understanding without relying on God first, please ponder the question of who has the best track record of success. Who is more capable of victory? A God who led his people through Egypt against formidable captors and parted the seas before them to make a pathway to safety...or are we more capable? Us humans that sometimes have trouble getting through the day without feeling frustration and despair at the relatively small things of life? I put my hope and trust in God!
Well, this morning I put my hope in God...I don't always...and in times when I feel a darkening of spirit, a gloominess, pessimistic attitude invading my character...perhaps anxiety, frustration, helplessness...well I know that's the time I need to turn to God and surrender those things in my life that I have decided to deal on with my own understanding and limited capabilities. That's when I need to humbly go before God and confess my sins and turn to Him...and I have to tell you thatwhen one does that, you can't help but walk away from a conversation with God totally transformed.
We are all guilty of relying less on God, especially when things are going good, but there's one way of keeping the right perspective..well lots of way, but one way that I have found always an enlightening source of redirection, and that is staying in God's Word. It has a great way of readjusting my priorities and perspective. So, I pray for all who read this to walk through this day in the light and love of God, turning to Him and not to themselves, and may His Word dwell richly in you and may you find yourselves continually transformed by His awesome love.
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride leads to arrogance and arrogance to the hardening of one's heart. When we find ourselves arrogant in the things of life we find ourselves relying on our own capabilities and less on God for direction. This usually leads to a lot more harm than good as one can imagine! The Bible tells us that man's knowledge is but a breath to God. Though our mortal life expectancy seems to be increasing over time due to the advances made in medicine and technology our lives are still but a fleeting moment compared to God's existence. God is eternal. He was and is and always will be. Should we put our trust in man, or God? Man who has a very limited perspective and experience of the ways of the world,or an all knowing God who has the foresight of eternity to add to His credentials?
Before your leap off the cliff into the abyss of your own understanding without relying on God first, please ponder the question of who has the best track record of success. Who is more capable of victory? A God who led his people through Egypt against formidable captors and parted the seas before them to make a pathway to safety...or are we more capable? Us humans that sometimes have trouble getting through the day without feeling frustration and despair at the relatively small things of life? I put my hope and trust in God!
Well, this morning I put my hope in God...I don't always...and in times when I feel a darkening of spirit, a gloominess, pessimistic attitude invading my character...perhaps anxiety, frustration, helplessness...well I know that's the time I need to turn to God and surrender those things in my life that I have decided to deal on with my own understanding and limited capabilities. That's when I need to humbly go before God and confess my sins and turn to Him...and I have to tell you thatwhen one does that, you can't help but walk away from a conversation with God totally transformed.
We are all guilty of relying less on God, especially when things are going good, but there's one way of keeping the right perspective..well lots of way, but one way that I have found always an enlightening source of redirection, and that is staying in God's Word. It has a great way of readjusting my priorities and perspective. So, I pray for all who read this to walk through this day in the light and love of God, turning to Him and not to themselves, and may His Word dwell richly in you and may you find yourselves continually transformed by His awesome love.
Beautifully written Jessica
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jessica. What a great reminder to drop our problems at God's feet and acknowlege that it is through him that all goodness and all true success comes. This lifted me up today. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI like how you approached this Pride issue..Pride is what God hates because a person who has pride can't and won't accept Jesus as truth and that is what the devil did he was full of pride. Great post again..thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone, I am glad you enjoyed it. I'm glad it could serve as some encouragement to some of you :) And so true...satan was and is full of pride! I wouldn't want to reflect the attributes of satan but the humble spirit of Jesus :) It's a mistake though a lot of us fall into, thank God for redemption!
ReplyDeleteMany blessings :)
La ilaha illa allah
ReplyDeleteMohammad rasulullah
Important note: from now on, I'll always visit your blog. Please don't hesitate to visit me. Let's be more than just followers...let's be faithful readers! Thanks :)
Lovers' Shore
http://lovers-shore.blogspot.com/
I've check out your blog and left a comment :) I look forward to reading more and hearing more of your thoughts on my posts too! ~many blessings
ReplyDelete