Daily Devotional “The Problem of Pride”

Daily Devotional for November 28, 2015

Jeremiah 48


 

Scripture:

29 “We have heard of Moab’s pride– her overweening pride and conceit, her pride and arrogance and the haughtiness of her heart. 30 I know her insolence but it is futile,” declares the LORD, “and her boasts accomplish nothing. 31 Therefore I wail over Moab, for all Moab I cry out, I moan for the men of Kir Hareseth.

 

Observation:

When we compare ourselves to others and decide that we are superior to them, we are walking in pride. A man with a prideful heart believes he is better than another person because of greater experience, qualifications, or abilities. Pride tells us that we deserve more than what we’re getting or more than someone else.

“We have heard of Moab’s pride—how great is her arrogance!—of her insolence, her pride, her conceit and the haughtiness of her heart” (Jeremiah 48:29).

God was judging Moab because of Moab’s pride. Pride led to Moab’s destruction as a nation.

Our pride can be removed when we put our lives in proper perspective with a correct view of God. When we realize how great God is and choose to compare ourselves to Him instead of to others, there is no room for pride in our hearts.

We must accept that we do not deserve more than others. The good things we have in our lives come because the goodness of Christ, not because we deserve them.

 

Application:

  • Personal Application: As Spirit-Empowered Men we must keep our hearts aligned with a proper perspective. Recognizing that all good things come from the Lord and that He will give us the strength and ability to walk through the tough times will keep us on the path of discipleship.
  • Family Devotional: Read this passage to your family. Remind them that keeping our hearts aligned with the Lordship of Christ will help us to stay humble. Ask them if there are any areas in their life where they have a tendency to take credit. Pray for them to avoid the trap of pride in their lives.

 

Prayer:

  • Personal Prayer Focus: Ask God to please help you to walk humbly before Him today.
  • Family Prayer Focus: Pray that God will guard the hearts of your family from the trap of pride and arrogance.

 

Three Year Reading Plan for Sunday, November 22 – Sunday, November 29:

  • Sunday, November 22: Jeremiah 41
  • Monday, November 23: Jeremiah 42
  • Tuesday, November 24: Jeremiah 43
  • Wednesday, November 25: Jeremiah 44
  • Thursday, November 26: Jeremiah 45-46
  • Friday, November 27: Jeremiah 47
  • Saturday, November 28: Jeremiah 48
  • Sunday, November 29: Jeremiah 49

 

—TOM GROOT is National Director of Men’s Ministry and Christian Education. Connect with Tom on Facebook or Twitter @TomGrootJr.

Portions of this devotional are adapted from God’s Word for Today, August 27, 2014, written by Kevin Dawson.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise marked, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblicia, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Fire Bible® elements including all Articles, the Bible Reading Plan, selected black and white maps and charts as noted, Book Introductions and outlines, color maps and the Color Map Index, footnotes, Study Notes, Subject Index, Themefinder™Index are the property of Life Publishers International, Springfield, MO U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Leave a Reply

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

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.