Pride

Scripture

When I was prosperous, I said, “Nothing can stop me now!” 

~Psalms 30:6

Quote

One reason God permits trials is that we might not get comfortable in our faith and stop growing.

~Warren W. Wiersbe

This is a Psalm of David but we don’t know exactly when it was written. What we do know is that David became prideful over his success. I believe it came early in his reign, after he had been declared king of both Judah and Israel and had defeated all his enemies. When his kingdom were firmly established, David looked at his accomplishment and he said to himself, “I’ve got it made, nothing can stop ME now.” David was having a little “Me” worship. God saw David’s pride and sent him some form of sickness. David had a near death experience which lead to his repentance. Perhaps David taught this lesson to his sons because some years later Solomon would write, Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” I’m not a huge fan of Solomon, but if ever the truth was spoken, he spoke it in Proverbs 16:18. Did David articulate the thought– “Nothing can stop me now?” Did he make this boast to another human? I doubt it. You see with God, you don’t have to speak it, all you have to do is think it! He sees pride the moment it enters our heart and He does not like pride.

I’ve seen this principle enacted hundreds of times in my life and in the lives of others. My mother taught me never to say never but I was a slow learner. I said I would never marry a girl with skinny legs but I did. I think the word ‘never’ has a ring of pride and it tends to engage who never loses. I have become so fearful of a prideful thought that I confess them immediately and begin begging for forgiveness. I guarantee you, where there is pride, there is going to be a fall.

God restored David and He changed his sorrow into gladness. This is when David wrote these word that have brought comfort to millions, Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. It human nature to have prideful thoughts, especially when we have success but we learn in time to rebuke these thoughts and humble ourselves immediately. It is much better for us to humble ourselves than to have HIM humble us. We also learn never to say never. Be thankful for your success but don’t be prideful. Be thankful for your children and grand children but do not be prideful. Never put them on a pedestal. You are not doing them or yourself a favor when do.

January 2018 may be the first month I have gone without preaching since I surrendered. I am preparing to go to Sardis Springs February 14-17 for their Winter Bible Study. I am also scheduled to preach at the Colbert/Lauderdale Baptist Pastor’s conference on February 5th. I am using every spare moment to prepare for the Study. It seems like the older I get the more I have to study. Derick told me last night that Fuzz Dobbins would get to come home today. When he gets a little stronger; he will have to go see the heart doctor in Huntsville.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *