40 Days of Promise | Day 12
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
40 Days of Promise
Day 12 | The HUMILITY Advantage | Matthew 23:12
40 Days of Promise
Day 12 | The HUMILITY Advantage | Matthew 23:12
The HUMILITY Advantage
Matthew 23:12
“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
From the beginning of time, there have been people who exalt themselves. You know, those who are the opposite of “humble.” People who want you to know ALL the wonderful things they’ve done and accomplished and take all the credit for their successes.
As a church pastor, I realize my role as teacher, shepherd, leader, visionary, etc. I also recognize that the church I pastor is doing well in many regards. And it would easy – and is often tempting – to take all the credit. But, that would be not only foolish… it would also be untrue. On any given Sunday, between staff and volunteers, there are innumerable people who participate, prepare, set up, take-down, do music, greet people, and on and on. Our Sunday services are truly NOT a “one-man show.” I know that others know that and above all, God knows that.
God also knows that about you too.
Does this mean we should not rejoice when things are going well? Of course, we should! We can also be thankful for the gifts and talents the LORD has given us, enabling us to serve or work or do whatever it is you do.
But – at the end of the day – we must resist the temptation to exclude the LORD from the equation and take all the glory for ourselves. If we give in to that temptation, then – as this verse says – “whoever exalts himself shall be humbled.” I don’t want to experience that, and neither do you.
Prayer: LORD, I admit that ALL that I can do is dependent on YOU. You have gifted me. You have given me particular talents and abilities. THANK YOU for enabling and equipping me to impact my world and others positively. You deserve all the praise and glory. Amen.
Matthew 23:12
“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
From the beginning of time, there have been people who exalt themselves. You know, those who are the opposite of “humble.” People who want you to know ALL the wonderful things they’ve done and accomplished and take all the credit for their successes.
As a church pastor, I realize my role as teacher, shepherd, leader, visionary, etc. I also recognize that the church I pastor is doing well in many regards. And it would easy – and is often tempting – to take all the credit. But, that would be not only foolish… it would also be untrue. On any given Sunday, between staff and volunteers, there are innumerable people who participate, prepare, set up, take-down, do music, greet people, and on and on. Our Sunday services are truly NOT a “one-man show.” I know that others know that and above all, God knows that.
God also knows that about you too.
Does this mean we should not rejoice when things are going well? Of course, we should! We can also be thankful for the gifts and talents the LORD has given us, enabling us to serve or work or do whatever it is you do.
But – at the end of the day – we must resist the temptation to exclude the LORD from the equation and take all the glory for ourselves. If we give in to that temptation, then – as this verse says – “whoever exalts himself shall be humbled.” I don’t want to experience that, and neither do you.
Prayer: LORD, I admit that ALL that I can do is dependent on YOU. You have gifted me. You have given me particular talents and abilities. THANK YOU for enabling and equipping me to impact my world and others positively. You deserve all the praise and glory. Amen.