Proverbs 18:12 – “humility”
God wants our heart because God loves us and can do better things for us than we can for ourselves. Being independent and self-sufficient apart from God is not a good scenario. To cut off the One who gives every good and perfect gift (James 1:17) is not a good move. That is what pride does. Pride says we don’t need God. Pride puts trust in our efforts. Pride tells ourselves to define our significance and puts self as the subject and object of our goals. This is a recipe for disaster. Without God, we are on a path of destruction because sin will not be kept in check. And where sin abounds, death is rampant. But humility is the solution. Humility brings honor, respect, riches, abundance, and character. Humility understands that we are not the greatest power in the universe. Humility puts oneself under the authority, direction, and wisdom of Him who is. Humility is not thinking down of him/herself, but puts more value on God. When we recognize that God is wiser than we are, then we listen to Him for knowledge, wisdom, and discretion. Sometimes we may wonder how we ever entered into the situation we are. Maybe it’s because we weren’t listening to God. Or maybe we heard, but turned the other way. The fear or reverence of God is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7). It is good for your heart to continually position yourself in a place where you can acknowledge, bow down to, and devote yourself to His ways.
Prayer Starter: To the One that has all the answers. God, it is so tempting or natural to try to do things on our own. Even Adam and Eve in the beginning were drawn away by the idea that they could gain the knowledge of good and evil. We assume that with knowledge, we can make our own best decisions. But without You, there is no knowledge. You created everything. Nothing is unknown to You. Nothing is a surprise or a new discovery. Help me to listen to Your Word and to humbly follow Your ways. It may seem foolish or unpractical or unfair to live how You want me to live, but I trust that it is the best way. In Jesus’ name, amen.
You’re reading a devotion from the Easter Devotional Plan 2016. For the rest of the 40 day plan, visit here.