“One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.” Proverbs 29:23
Devotional Thought For The Day
The Scripture is clear about the dangers of pride. It is not a bad thing to have self-respect and to be grateful to God for the blessings He has given us in our creation. However, such self-esteem must be moderated by truth, by reality, that of our fallen sinful nature and our limitations. Far more important than self-esteem is to know and believe how esteemed we are by God, in His great love for us. This is principally a matter of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Heavenly Father Who sent Him as “the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.” This is eternal life. [Jn. 17:3]
The pride warned about in Holy Scripture is actually a false pride – pride that is not based in what is real, but rather thinking more highly of ourselves than is warranted, and presenting ourselves to others in this grandiose manner. One scholar commented: “Those that think to gain respect by lifting themselves above their rank, by looking high, talking big, appearing fine, and applauding themselves, will on the contrary expose themselves to contempt, lose their reputation, and provoke God by humbling providences to bring them down and lay them low.” We have all witnessed such arrogant displays and the personal consequences that follow; perhaps we have had the experience personally.
What is it that creates such a temptation within us? It is a combination of a myriad of emotions and considerations, no doubt somewhat unique to each person. The bottom line is that it is uncomfortable, painful, even excruciating to think that we don’t matter, or that we matter less, are blessed less, loved less, and respected less than others. Some believe that the deceitful short cut to becoming and being someone who actually does matter is to simply posture, to pose oneself to others as more than we really are, and this is quite common behavior. This is false pride, feigned pride in something that is not real, and this is the pride that surely leads to a fall and brings one low. Sooner or later, someone always gets around to requiring that the “show” be backed up by “go.” When there is no “go” the “show” is over!
In reality, we never achieve enough power, prowess, ability, skill, wealth, knowledge, or wisdom to legitimately evoke the kind of honor and prestige that we would like to have. No human being does, and even those exalted by others and lauded [and rewarded financially], like rock stars, great actors, or excellent athletes, ultimately reveal their weaknesses and limitations – that they are but human, and fallen human beings at that, who are subject to the same failures that we have and the same abasement. So our foundation, confidence, and assurance that we matter must be found in God – His great love for us – and not in ourselves.
When we humble ourselves in this manner – by repentance, acknowledgement of the truth, and faith in God’s love – we have assurances from God’s Word that we “will obtain honor,” and even be exalted. This is not from our fellow human beings but from God. This is a very personal and private interface with God and His Word, one which we should have every day before we go out to work or play. Again, the same scholar wrote: “Honor shall uphold the humble in spirit; their humility is their honor, and that shall make them truly and safely great, and recommend them to the esteem of all that are wise and good.” They will likely win few popularity contests, and their inner confidence may be interpreted as arrogance, but God knows them and will uphold them. Our great vindication in this will not occur until the Last Day – when all must see and acknowledge how cherished and precious we are to God.
So let us remember these things, and keep our sinful nature in check, by repentance and faith in God’s gracious love in Christ Jesus – that we be kept from humiliation and upheld by the honor God bestows.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, You have shown us the way of true and proper humility – even though You have always had all power and authority. Grant us gifts of grace and strength, not to exalt ourselves but to serve others. May others always find more in us than we posture; may they find that we have Your love and blessing. Amen.