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Monday May 12 - Be humble
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
Let’s face it, we all know that pride isn’t a good thing and often comes before a fall, but we still find it easy to slip into its vain promises. Sometimes it’s hard to avoid this deadliest of all sins. There’s a fine line between being proud of our achievements (which is good)... and being over-proud of our achievements (which is not so good). If our endeavours are a result of obeying God’s commands, either general or specific, then our response should be one of “Hey! I’m following my divine calling – how wonderful!” This should automatically cause us to be humble, as we consider the privilege of our partnership with God. If it doesn’t, then perhaps a re-think is in order; perhaps our personal pride has got in the way and we are over-estimating ourselves!
There’s a similar sentiment in James 4:6 – ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble’. Being humble is a wonderful place to be. We shouldn’t have to work at it; it should come as easily for us as it was for Jesus, whose image we are hopefully growing into. Our humility, as the proverb tells us, brings us wisdom to assist us in decision-making, as well as grace to help us apply God’s wisdom. It’s a no-brainer. So let’s be humble!
Father in heaven, help me to be truly humble in all of my undertakings. Amen.
Tuesday May 13 - Be righteous
Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. Proverbs 11:4
This can be summarised by the much-used remark, “Well you can’t take it with you!” Jesus summarises it further: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...” (Matthew 6:19-20). Our treasures should be based on heaven’s promises as a result of godly living, rather than worldly acquisitions as a result of selfish spending!
I really don’t envy those prosperity preachers with their fine houses and executive jets, when they finally stand before their Creator and he says to them, “You’ve left your ‘treasures’ behind... what do you have to offer me now?” These same people will also be among the first to ‘man the barricades’ when the day of wrath arrives, intent on holding on to their worldly ‘treasures’ as long as possible. What a sad existence. They have totally misunderstood the gospel: ‘... so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God’ (Colossians 1:10). We are called to live lives of integrity, holiness and virtue, with acts of righteousness. These are your treasures that will deliver you from death. Be like Jesus, be righteous!
Father in heaven, help me to live for others and not for personal material gain. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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