Years ago, Charles Haddon Spurgeon wrote in Sermons on Sovereignty: “There are two sins of man that are bred in the bone, and that continually come out in the flesh. One is self-dependence and the other is self-exaltation. It is very hard, even for the best of men, to keep themselves from the first error. The holiest of Christians, and those who understand best the gospel of Christ, find in themselves a constant inclination to look to the power of the creature, instead of looking to the power of God and the power of God alone.”
Hundreds of years after Esau and Jacob’s birthday, God expressed His holy anger and condemnation toward the Edomites’ pride (Obadiah 1:1-2). They had attacked the Judeans during the Babylonian crisis, instead of assisting them (vv.10-14). They delighted in bringing disaster to God’s people. This greatly displeased God. He also condemned their pride of heart that made them think they were indestructible (v.3).
The Edomites lived in the mountainous region east of the Arabah, with elevations up to 5,000 feet above sea level. Their inaccessible location had given them a false sense of security and feeling of invulnerability. The sins of self-dependence and self-exaltation were bred in their bones and were continually coming out in their words and actions. Edom asked a rhetorical question: “Who can ever reach us way up here?” The Lord answered: “I will bring you crashing down” (v.4).
God still opposes the proud and arrogant. Every human effort at self-security will ultimately fail and be made small before God. What God desires from His people is humility—an attitude of submission and obedience, grounded in the acknowledgment of our true needy status before Him.
More:
• Proverbs 15:25
• James 4:6
Next:
How has your position and power, like Edom’s, given you a false sense of security and invulnerability? How will you humble yourself before God this week?
Kevin on April 6, 2010 at 6:36 am
I agree with Riri!!! When we find ourselves in a position of not needing God, then that is when we truly need Him the most!! Pride is an awful thing.
marvin williams on April 12, 2010 at 4:21 pm
My prayer is that we model our lives after the one who made himself of no reputation (Philippians 2:5-11.
bethsjourney on April 6, 2010 at 7:35 am
This is an awesome thought for today. Pride can be a good thing but in a giving way towards others, such as to our children. My biggest problem is I give, give, give to my family and would like something, anything, even just some gratitude in return, and I get frustrated when I dont even get a simple thank you…todays devotional reminds me that God sees what I have done, and I need to be more humble when I am doing the giving and if it does not feel right, then don’t do it.
marvin williams on April 12, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Great insight, Beth. I think we all have felt this way once or twice. Okay, hundreds of times. : ). I must remember your advice and learning – God sees what I have done and am doing. That should quench my thirst for recognition when people fail to appreciate me. We serve and perform for an audience of One.
bethanyF on April 6, 2010 at 8:00 am
God is good.
missyp on April 6, 2010 at 9:25 am
man- this is something that is always an issue for me (self-dependence). and you know it’s very sneaky. i never really can tell that i’m relying on myself rather than relying on God’s power until a few decisions down the road. and then God will shine a light somehow on this area and i’ll wake up. in an effort to be humble and broken- i know that this is most likely due to slacking on my devotional and prayer time. thinking that these things are not necessary. but time and time again God proves to me how vital they are to my daily life and joy!
marvin williams on April 12, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Missyp, I thank God for your transparency. It paves the way for true freedom in Jesus and it prevent the enemy from setting up a clandestine beachhead. When I am more worried about what people will think of my preaching, teaching, or writing, than what God will think, then I have drifted across the line in the territory of pride. I must always remember that I am performing for an audience of One.
missyp on April 6, 2010 at 9:26 am
on a side comment to bethsjourney- i totally recommend reading the book boundaries. it’s been a life changer for me!
bethsjourney on April 9, 2010 at 6:12 am
Thanks Missy I will check this out! God Bless!
Soldier4Christ on April 6, 2010 at 11:55 am
In my early walk I knew of God but had not yet learned to lean on Him like I should have. I had my plans in life and thought that I was able to do what I needed to do in everyday life. Man was I a fool, I now know that without God’s guiding hand in my life I can do nothing.
makks on April 6, 2010 at 3:03 pm
May the Lord have mercy on me for ever thinking that
I can figure it out on my own……Thank you for
reminding me that it is in him that I live, move
and have my being.
marvin williams on April 12, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Riri, I deal with the issue of pride every day. One writer described pride as fighting for the supremacy of God. Putting that way really arrested my attention and made it sound much more grave than “I’m proud.” I desire to be God-dependent and humble before him. I don’t want to bring me crashing down either. The answer? Alawys transfer the glory to God. I thank God for your comments.