Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 131:1-3
Ps 131:1-3
1 My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. 3 O Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.
1 Peter 5:5-7, 11
5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
In the book of Proverbs there are listed seven things that the Lord hates, that are an abomination to him. One of these is a haughty spirit. Pride has been the root of the downfall of many kings and rulers but also of many preachers and elders in the Lord’s church. But pride is not limited to those in leadership roles, it is also a great temptation for us all. Pride comes from selfishness and leads to a lack of trust in God as Supreme. Pride looks inward while faith looks upward.
We become successful in life (whatever we call success) and we begin to think that somehow, we did this on our own. We may have worked long hours and really hard to accomplish our goals but who gave us the ability to do so? Was it not God? Whatever talents we possess are from God and his grace.
When Moses made excuses and said he was unable to talk, God reminded him that it was he who gave Moses his tongue and the ability to speak in the first place. He reminded David that he had all his power and might as a world leader because He had taken him from the fields and made him king over Israel. The apostle Paul had great abilities and had studied under one of the best scholars of his day but he acknowledged that he was what he was only by the grace of God.
The more we recognize who God is as God and who we are in comparison, the more we will consider others better than ourselves and humbly trust God.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for what you have given me and for the many opportunities you have put in my life. Forgive me for squandering the ones I have failed to use and give me wisdom to see and use what you make available to me. Never let me forget that all I have comes from you and is by your grace. Make me aware of your forgiveness of my failures every day so I will be more forgiving to others who fail me. Fill me with your love and your compassion toward others. Be with those who are sick and hurting today. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
