Daily Devotional
Stop Comparing Ourselves to Others
“For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”
Galatians 6:3-4
September 18, 2023
Ponder This
Do you know Jesus raised three people from the dead? He raised a little girl who had just died (Mark 5:21-43), a young man on the way to his funeral (Luke 7:11-17), and He raised Lazarus (John 11:38-44). How did He raise that little girl? She had just died. Jesus went into her bedroom and said, “All the rest of you just stay out. You don’t believe.” But Jesus took that little girl and said, “Darling, get up!” She woke up. Her body was still warm. And then Jesus raised a man. He was on the way to the funeral. He was being transported. Now he was dead also, but his body was cold. Rigor mortis had set in. And Jesus raised him. Then Jesus raised Lazarus. Lazarus had been in the grave for four days. Corruption had already begun. The stench of death was there. And God raised Lazarus.
I want to ask you a question: Which one was the deadest? Dead is dead. It doesn’t matter whether you were like that little girl, like that young man, or like Lazarus. Dead is dead. There may be degrees of corruption but not degrees of death. Dead is dead. We must stop comparing ourselves to others and saying, “I’m better than him. I’m better than her.” That’s like dead people saying, “You’re more dead than I am.” Dead is dead; we all need God’s power at work in us.
- When have you compared yourself to someone else in matters of faith?
- How does pride inhibit intimacy with Christ?
Practice This
Take time and consider where you have pridefully compared yourself with others. Repent and ask God to show His power in you.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
