Speaker: Paul Diaz

Theme: True Greatness

Weekend Music links on iTunes:  All Because of Jesus I'm Alive by Fee; Let God Arise by Chris Tomlin; Glory to God Forever by Fee; Came to my Rescue by Hillsong United.

Read: John 1:29-30; Psalm 29; Ephesians 1:15-23

Think: This morning, I woke up to what seemed to be thick, dusty, dreary clouds settling once again over our beloved Seattle. I think I've finally come to accept that even at the end of June, we're still just going to have cloudy days. Surprisingly, however, by about nine o'clock, the sun had melted away what was really just a fine mist and, despite a slight breeze, a sweet warmth governed the air.

I’ve noticed that a lack of humility in my life allows pride to form in a similar way to this morning’s clouds, stuffy and hazy, blocking both other’s and my ability to see God’s miraculous work and lordship in my life.

One of the ways Pastor Paul suggested we can understand what true humility means is by recognizing that we aren't the savior. As God restores the right perspective of who He is as savior and as Lord, I'm left in awe of His beauty and majesty. In Psalm 29:3 and 5, I read how "The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord is over many waters…the voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; Yes, the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon," and I tremble.

I imagine the clouds this morning dissipated because of a similar overpowering by the brilliance and grandeur of the sun. But even the power and might of the sun is manifested in its glory, its loveliness, and its transformative nature that causes things to grow; just by being in its presence, we absorb precious vitamins and nutrients. Similarly, our great and mighty God is good and “…will bless His people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11). 

In gazing upon the beauty of the Lord, in all of His goodness and grace, I realize that walking in humility is much easier than I thought, as I want others to gaze upon His loveliness and not my own hazy attempts at greatness.

Do: Pick a Psalm and read it over several times, taking care to absorb and consider each image and metaphor. Or find a favorite worship song and think over the lyrics about how wonderful God is. Let the truth of His goodness and His righteousness sink deep into your soul and infuse everything you do. Even if you get stuck on thinking about one word, enjoy it and keep thinking about it until you believe and understand it!

Pray: Lord, please give to me a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of You, so that I might be overwhelmed with the desire to declare how holy and good you are, and walk in humility before you who is Lord over all.

 The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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