Be Humble

I know what it’s like to be proud. Heck, I’m a proud Dad and “Pop”. I think there’s a self-centered pride and “thankful pride”.  When I say I’m a proud Dad, it is saturated with gratitude, because being a Dad is a huge blessing to me. I think sometimes being a Dad has taught me more about The Lords heart than all the sermons and Sunday school lessons put together.

Jeremiah was a prophet who mostly had bad news for everyone he spoke about. He spoke against Judah & Israel and they carried into captivity, just as the Lord had spoken to him. He speaks again Ammon and Edom. These people were a bit full of themselves just like Israel and Judah. The Lord reminds them that He is in charge. Check this out…..

¹⁵ The Lord says to Edom,
“I will cut you down to size among the nations.
    You will be despised by all.
¹⁶ You have been deceived
    by the fear you inspire in others
    and by your own pride.
You live in a rock fortress
    and control the mountain heights.
But even if you make your nest among the peaks with the eagles,
    I will bring you crashing down,”
    says the Lord. (Jeremiah 49:15-16 NLT)

It is too easy to give myself all the credit for my success or accomplishments.  I’ve learned in my walk with the Lord that He is the Giver of all I have. His Presence in my life is the culmination of all that I have going for me. He is my Rock – foundation. He has my heart and soul. I would rather be broke with the Lord in the center of my heart, than to be wealthy and think I was “all that and a bag of chips”.  When I read these two verses in Jeremiah, I was reminded of a passage in the book of James. Check this out…

⁶ And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,

“God opposes the proud
    but gives grace to the humble.”

⁷ So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.⁸ Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.⁹ Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.(James 4:6-10 NLT)

Pride destroys, but humility builds.

Gratitude and Pride can’t co-exist inside my heart.

Humility and Gratitude are a powerful witness for the Presence of God in me.

Pressing On!

Dwayne