Daily Devotional: Monday, May 17
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Pride
Weekend Music links on iTunes: All Because of Jesus by Fee; No Not One by Christy Nockels; Love Came Down by Ben Cantelon; Rescue by Desperation Band.
Read: Isaiah 30:20-23 (The Message Translation); John 3:30; Psalm 139:23
Think: If you had a chance to attend service at Timberlake this weekend, you know that this week's message was hard hitting, but it sure was necessary to hear!! Pride. Ouch, it hit me between the eyes before I ever knew what was coming.
Pastor Ben spoke of three types of pride. The pride we exhibit when we believe we are superior to someone. The Superman pride, where no help is necessary because all we really need is ourselves. And lastly, the pride which dismisses a truth because we falsely believe it really doesn’t apply to me.
As I look back on my life I can find long periods of time where I unfortunately walked as if I were Superman. Many years ago I sold a business that I was a partner in. My partners generously agreed to my request and purchased my interest. Finally, finally, I could venture out on my own and prove to the world my value, my worth. Flush with cash, and freedom from my partners, I set out to make it on my own. Four years into my freedom I had spent nearly my whole life savings on a failed venture. As Ben so aptly described this weekend, I was cornered, no where to go, no where to hide; I felt I had no choice but to surrender myself and recommit myself to the one who made me, who loves me despite my failings, despite my sin. I distinctly remember sobbing uncontrollably one night asking God why did this happen, my plans had been derailed, why would He allow this to happen? It seems so obvious to me now, and probably even more obvious to those reading todays devotion! Why would, and how could God honor my haughty and arrogant self? God is so clear in His word about Pride:
Proverbs 16:5 - The LORD detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 8:13 - To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.
God is clear in His word and I chose to ignore it. God gently restored me and cared for me as my shattered plans lay broken on the ground. Though my plans had failed, never had I felt so loved in my life as He reminded me that He is what I really need.
As I reflected back on this time, it led me to a question tonight. If I could have missed or ignored something so obvious, so clear in God’s word, what else might I be deceiving myself with today?
Ask: Is their something in your life that you need help with? Are you trying to prove something to someone by going it alone?
Pray: Heavenly Father I need you. I desperately need you. You desire a relationship with me. Forgive me where I have not sought your counsel, your wisdom, your truth, your plans for me. May you increase in my life, and may I decrease. Look into my heart and reveal my pride. Thank you for your Son Jesus, the light of the world.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.
|
