Today’s Scripture: Proverbs 3:34 (ESV)
Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favour.
“All men are tempted to take a census – that is, to number their own virtues, graces, accomplishments, resources, and thus draw the heart away from God. But what ground can there be for our counting or for our pride? Are we prideful of our talents? But what have we that we have not received from God? Are we proud of our wisdom or knowledge? A brick falls on our head, a machine strikes us on the street, and then where is the vaunted knowledge of the mind? Are we proud of our beauty? A wasting sickness smites us, and then where is beauty? Are we proud of our riches? A revolution breaks out in the country, and then what are our riches?
As we take a census of our virtues, let us remember these lines of William Knox, which were so often upon the lips of Abraham Lincoln:
Oh, why should the spirit of mortal be proud?
Like a swift-fleeting meteor, a fast-flying cloud,
A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave,
He passes from life to his rest in the grave.” – Anonymous
Think about it. What really is a human life worth outside the favour of God? His favour gave us life and His favour sustains us. How blessed most of us are: blessed with gifts and graces that make us valuable to the world around us; blessed with wealth, family, friends, and even positions of influence. Whichever way you look at it, God has been good to us in ways not commensurate with our character or efforts. God has been extremely favourable to us and we must greet this truth with humility – a conscious acknowledgment of God’s benevolence to us. There is nothing we have or that we are that can be entirely ascribed to ourselves. This humility guarantees God’s continued favour. Our opening scripture makes it clear: God gives favour to the humble. Choose humility. Choose to abide in the favour of God. It will be life, wealth and health to you. So live today, and always, knowing that you owe your existence and all that it consists of to God. The Lord will give you the grace to embrace humility, and He will multiply His favour to you, in Jesus’ name.
Memorise & Meditate:
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble.’” James 4:6 (NIV)
Prayer & Confession:
Give me the grace to stay humble under Your Mighty Hand. Forgive me for any and every manner of pride, and grant me Your favour continually, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
