September 18, 2017
“Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).
Do you know why many are in financial ruin? Because of pride. They bought things they didn’t need with money they didn’t have to impress people they didn’t like. We get ourselves in trouble because our neighbors keep buying things we cannot afford. We are trying to keep up. The bottom line is that we want more than somebody else.
Pride also produces emotional ruin. It makes you a slave to the opinions of others. You have to have the right emblem on your car, label on your jeans, or tag on your luggage. Making sure you fit in is a form of slavery that will never be satisfied. It will ruin you emotionally.
Pride produces national ruin. Our nation will come to naught unless we repent. It is the repentance of humiliation that God is looking for. James 4:6b says, "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
God sets Himself up in battle array against the proud, and we must humble ourselves before Him. Second Chronicles 7:14, "If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
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.’”