02/10/2020
Do we humble ourselves before God during times of danger, and when we are in need of deliverance, or do we attempt to wield Him like a shining sword before our enemies? Pride, it is one of our greatest ills before God. We are not meant to hold Him over the heads of those who challenge us or those who frighten us, but are meant to call on Him as we seek to know His will, and to pray for His deliverance... even though we are unworthy.
“For you save a humble people, but the haughty eyes you bring down.”
Psalms 18:27 ESV
These are the words of David, but when Moses was facing opposition from Miriam and Aaron, who were prideful and strong, we see a similar power that springs to the defense of humility. We are meant to seek God from our knees, and in a humble manner, not from a place of pride, Listen to This passage...
“Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. And they said, "Has the Lord indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?" And the Lord heard it.”
Numbers 12:1-2 ESV
These two were attempting to claim God’s authority over Moses from a place of pride, and deservedness, but In the very next verse we are shown that this is the wrong position to take, and we are told that there was no Hubris in Moses...
“Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.”
Numbers 12:3 ESV
And then we see God immediately spring to the defense of Moses. He lifts him up because He had chosen him, and we realize that it isn’t Moses’ strength that made Him faithful, and acceptable, to God, but his meekness. The power of God comes to our rescue because we need Him... not because we command, or deserve Him.
“Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?"”
Numbers 12:7-8 ESV
Our enemies should fear us; not because of our strength, or that we wield the power of God against them, but because our God defends us by His own will, out of His love for us, and because of our humble inability to defend ourselves without Him.
“And the anger of the Lord was kindled against them, and he departed. When the cloud removed from over the tent, behold, Miriam was leprous, like snow. And Aaron turned toward Miriam, and behold, she was leprous. And Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, do not punish us because we have done foolishly and have sinned.”
Numbers 12:9-11 ESV
Pride is our nemesis, and it is hated by God. Listen to Proverbs as it tells us to fear God, and that he hates pride and arrogance. He equates pride directly to evil...
“The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.”
Proverbs 8:13 ESV
Over and over again in Proverbs we find scripture speaking out against pride, and yet it is still pervasive in not only the world, but in the Church, and it is used as club by some as they attempt to rise above others of faith.
“Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”
Proverbs 16:5 ESV
So how do we seek God’s deliverance in the face of trouble? Do we do so from a position of arrogance, or in humility, and a meekness of character? Do we take pride in our faith, and attempt to lord it over others while seeking to rise in favor within the Church, and before God, or do we humble ourselves completely before Him as Moses did, and let God’s voice call us closer, and speak for us... justify us?
“Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord."”
Jeremiah 9:23-24 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the humility you have instilled in me. Thank you for defeating my pride, and raising up meekness in its place. I am nothing without you my Lord, and in your might I find victory, and all the glory against those who oppose me is yours as I serve you. Rescue me from all my trials, and tribulations Father, not by guiding me in my strength, but because I yield any personal strength I might have to yours. Teach me by your Holy Spirit Lord, and lead me to Galway’s seek your will for me. I am a sinner Lord, and my pride, though I fight against it daily, is my greatest enemy. Give me victory over this abomination, and subdue the arrogance you find gloating within me. Let humility and meekness transform me into the child you wish me to be. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who steps before me to defeat the enemies of my heart, mind, soul, and strength... so that my faith, and worship might be acceptable, and pleasing to you. Praised be your name as I lift my hands from bended knees, and fall prostrate before you in prayer. Strong is your right arm as you defend me Each day, and watch over me through the night. I fear not in my weakness because though I am weak... you are strong. All glory is yours Lord, and is perfected in your mercy and grace that flows through Jesus, and runs over me like warm oil. In you my pride is laid low, now and forevermore!
“The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. For the Lord of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low;”
Isaiah 2:11-12 ESV
Rich Forbes