Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 59:12-17
Ps 59:12-17
12 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, 13 consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah 14 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. 15 They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied. 16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. 17 O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.
Jude 14-16
14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." 16 These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
Pride is one of the worst sins because it ignores the God who made us and puts our desires above his will and takes credit for what he has done for us. It has been the downfall of many great men and women, from kings and prophets in times gone by to politicians and preachers today. Pride causes division and discord as it seeks self instead of the good of others. God hates pride and strife.
Humility on the other hand seeks the good of others instead of our own. It allows others to take unfair advantage of us as we disregard our own “rights” and let others have their way instead. Humility prompted by love allows us to forgive those who have done us wrong, even when we feel they don’t deserve to be forgiven.
We see an example of this humility in Jesus as he gave up his position of being equal with God and his place in the glories of heaven as he came to earth in flesh and became one of us. He then suffered and died on the cross for our good and to provide our salvation from sin. As we seek to be like him, we are to be humble in spirit but bold in faith while being compassionate and forgiving.
Lord God, creator and giver of life, I come to you today in humility. As only a very small part of your creation I know my personal worth is nothing. Yet, as your child I know I am priceless in your sight. Help me always remember that I am what I am because of your grace and not my own doing. Thank you for my life and all you have given me to enjoy. Thank you for the many friends who are such a help and encouragement to me every day. Fill me with your love and compassion so I will use all you have given me to serve you and to bring glory to you. Give your peace to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
