Bible Reading: ISAIAH 2:1-22
“The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day” – Isaiah 2:11 (KJV).
People are often intoxicated by wealth, position, achievements or attainments in life. Most people become so arrogant and proud because of their perceived success or wealth, forgetting that God is the one who raises up one and puts down another. Achiever’s mentality makes some people proud and arrogant.
When people fail to see God behind their rising or making, but rather see themselves as self-made, they become rude, proud and puffed up. This is mostly seen among unbelievers who have not embraced the Lordship of Jesus. When such people who have not received the nature of Christ attain some level of success or positions of honour they often forget they are not in control of their lives. The absence of the fear of God makes them so full of themselves. They boast of their wealth or status, they become so proud and puffed up that they behave as if they are God, forgetting that God can require their souls anytime.
Sometimes, some Christians become so free with sin and so familiar with God and the scripture that arrogance and pride begin to eat them up. The fear of God goes and the flesh takes over their lives, at this point, impunity and presumption begin to rule their lives. The scriptures admonish us to humble ourselves so that God will lift us up. It takes humility to acknowledge our insufficiency and weaknesses. We are not sufficient of ourselves apart from God. All that we have, all that we are and all that we can ever have come from God. When one realizes one’s inadequacy apart from God, one is humbled. This humility will reflect in ones thought, words and actions.
God resists the proud but he gives grace to the humble. When Nebuchadnezzar became so arrogant, God sent him to the bush to learn his lesson that God alone shall be exalted. “And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, what doest thou?” – Daniel 4:35 (KJV).
PRAYER: Lord, help me to acknowledge my inadequacy without you so I can remain humble.
Rev. Vincent Diolu