Pride And Its Effect

Devotion for Friday February 23, 2018

Topic: Pride And Its Effect

Text: Isaiah 10: 5 – 19

The king of Assyria, in his pride, thought to act by his own will. Most tyrants of the world are tools of Providence. The plan of God was to correct His people for their hypocrisy, and bring them nearer to Him; but that wasn’t Sennacherib's plan. His desire was to gratify his own covetousness and ambition. He boasted of the great things he has done to other nations (Isaiah 10:8 – 11), by his own policy and power. He did not know that it was God who made him what he was, and puts the staff into his hand (Isaiah 10:5). If he had consulted Nebuchadnezzar, he wouldn’t have been so pompous. His pomposity provoked God’s anger (Isaiah 10:12 – 15). 

Matthew Henry opined that “For a tool to boast or to strive against Him that formed it, would not be more out of the way, than for Sennacherib to vaunt himself against Jehovah.” God’s verdict on King of Assyria was that He shall strip him and all his princes, of their wealth, and might, and glory; and destroy his numerous armies as fire destroys things which are thrown into it (Isaiah 10:16). That was the effect of pride on Sennacherib. 

Beloved, do you boast of the talent, wisdom, power or position God has given to you? Do you look down on others because you feel you are better than them? Think twice! God is God of justice. He exalts and brings down (Psalm 75:7; Matthew 23:12; Luke 18:14). 

Sing A&M 194; Abu 177.

Food for Thought: Proverbs 29:23                

Memory verse: Isaiah 10:12

Prayer: 1. My Father in heaven, may I not exalt myself because of where you have placed me or the talent you have given to me. 2. Grant me the spirit of humility and appreciation for what you have made me in Jesus name. Amen      

EFFECTS OF WISDOM: Devotion for Monday October 17, 2016

EFFECTS OF WISDOM: Devotion for Monday October 17, 2016                 

Text: Proverbs 2:10 – 22    Memory verse: Proverbs 2 verses 10 and 11

Yesterday we read gains from heavenly wisdom. We saw that wisdom is divine and God gives it to those who consistently and concertedly seek for it. Because of its great value, not everyone is ready to pay the price to acquire wisdom. Today’s bible reading highlights more of what we stand to the gain from heavenly wisdom.

Heavenly wisdom will deliver one from the ways of evil men (Proverbs 2:10–15). This implies that with wisdom, someone can know the best way to approach or handle evil men. Such person cannot be enticed into doing evil with them. Wisdom will enable him to know when to flee from their cunning and deceitful ways. Wisdom is very important in a time like this when people are so much evil minded and wicked.

Any Christian, who is truly wise, should be very careful to avoid all evil company and evil practices which can lure us out of our Christian faith. When wisdom has control over our lives, then, it not only fills our heads, but enters into our hearts, and will protect, and preserve, both against corruptions within us and temptations without.

Secondly, it will deliver men from adulterous women (2:16–19). The adulteress is referred to as a wayward woman in that she is outside the circle of a man’s proper relationships (Proverbs 2:16). When we have wisdom in our hearts, it will guard us against improper relationship.

Two of the most difficult sins man finds exceedingly hard to resist are pride and sexual immorality. Both are seductive. In combination, their appeal is deadly and can destroy someone overnight. We need heavenly wisdom to overcome them. In fact, Solomon’s opinion is that only by relying on God’s strength can we overcome them. Pride appeals to the empty head; sexual enticement to the empty heart. We should be extremely careful about what we take to heart. It is only by looking up to God, that we can fill our heads with His wisdom and our hearts with His love. Remember that you have a destination and a reward waiting for you. Therefore always ask God for wisdom and strength to resist these temptations.

Food for Thought: “The only effectual safeguard from the ways of sin and ruin is the knowledge and fear of God” – Family Bible Notes

Prayer: Heavenly Father, sow and nurture your knowledge and fear in my heart in Jesus name.

SANCTIFICATION AND ITS EFFECT: Devotion for Thursday August 11, 2016

SANCTIFICATION AND ITS EFFECT: Devotion for Thursday August 11, 2016

Text: Ezekiel 36: 25 - 38                 

Memory verse: Ezekiel 36:26 – I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

God promised to restore Israel not only physically but spiritually as we have in our scriptural reading for today. To accomplish this, He would give them a new heart for following Him and put His Spirit within them (Ezekiel 11:19–20 and Psalm 51:7–11) aimed at transforming them and empowering them to do His will. Doing the will of God would become the effect of sanctification of God’s people. God said His people should be ashamed of their sins (Ezekiel 36:31) because the heart transformation (a heart of flesh) will result to owning up to their faults by being more sensitive to sins.

The people had become so callous that they had lost all sensitivity to sin. First they had to “remember” their sins, be ashamed of them, and finally repent of them (see James 4:8–9). If we examine our lives, we may find that we, too, have lost our sensitivity to certain sins. To regain our sensitivity to sin we must recognize our sin for what it is, be sorry for displeasing God, and ask His forgiveness without which we will lose our salvation. This many finally result in eternal condemnation. It is my prayer that this will not be our portion in Jesus name. Amen.   

You may have been living in sin and highly polluted, thinking that there is no more way out of it. God offers you a fresh start today. He wants to change your heart that had been depraved. You can have your sins washed away, receive a new heart for God, and have His Spirit within you, if you accept His promise. This will be the beginning of a life of righteousness; a life that hearkens to God's law, trembling at His threats, and moulded to comply with His whole will. Why try to patch up your old life when you can have a new one?

Food for Thought: Is your heart right with God? Have you received a heart of flesh that is pleasing with God?

Prayer: God, grant me the heart that obeys your law and comply with your will in Jesus name.