“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” Proverbs 16:18,19 NIV
God of the humble,
I love the book of proverbs. It is reasonably easy to read and there are lots of common sense sayings. Well it is easy to read if we do not dwell on it or let it speak to our own state of grace – or disgrace? We all know well the saying, pride goes before a fall. I knew it long before I knew Your Word. Pride looks at what we have accomplished and keeps us so busy patting ourselves on the back we forget You helped us. Not that being pleased with a job well done is wrong – its the getting too full of ourselves!
King Nebuchadnezzar came to absolutely believe in You, God. He saw Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego survive the fiery furnace and a forth walking in the flames. But later walking on his royal palace of Babylon roof, he boasted of all he had built for the glory of his own majesty. He fell for 7 years, eating grass (Daniel 4). A bit extreme. You remind us not to take the glory of what You have done and helped us achieved. I may cut the lawn and it looks lovely but you created grass and enabled me to have a garden!
Pride, an arrogant attitude that forgets all we have is from God and that contrasts strikingly with humility. Not that we should be so humble we cannot accept a well done. Help us to remember where our help comes from – lest we have to be brought down a peg.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
God,
For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours. Miracles.
For our church fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). The Royal family’s health.
For Ukraine. May Your will be to end war, soon. Protect and bless Your church.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions for reconciliation for a lasting peace. End to vengeance.
For the autumn term at school starting and the staff and pupils.
For the House of Commons resitting and getting used to all the new responsibilities.
For those returning to work after holidays.
For those who do not have the privilege of holidays.
For those who have suffered rejection, an understanding of their eternal value from You.
For us to see all that You have given us in this new day, Your new every day love and all Your help us do.
In Jesus name, we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 4th September 2024
A beautiful old hymn with a wonderful new tune.
Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died on Calvary.
By God’s Word at last my sin I learned–
Then I trembled at the Law I’d spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned to Calvary.
Mercy there was great and grace was free,
Pardon there was multiplied to me,
There my burdened soul found liberty–
At Calvary.
Now I’ve given to Jesus ev’rything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing of Calvary.
O the love that drew salvation’s plan!
O the grace that brought it down to man!
O the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary.
Lyrics: William R Newell