Tuesday, October 18
Don’t be proud, be grateful
Scripture: Ezekiel 29-30, Mark 2
Ezekiel 29:9–10 The land of Egypt will be a desolate ruin. Then they will know that I am the Lord. Because you said, “The Nile is my own; I made it,” 10 therefore, I am against you and your Nile. I will turn the land of Egypt into ruins, a desolate waste from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush.
Observation
God judged the nation of Egypt for her “proud strength” (30:6, 18), exemplified in the statement, “The Nile is my own; I made it.” Rather than being grateful for the gift of the Nile, they proudly claimed it as their own creation.
I am struck by the absurdity of the claim, “I made it; it’s mine.” They didn’t create the Nile; it didn’t belong to them. They did use it, channel it, benefit from it and inhabit it—but they didn’t make it. They should have been grateful, not proud.
God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5. Pride takes credit where it’s not due. Gratitude humbly acknowledges the gifts and contributions of others.
Application
In how many areas of my life have I done the same thing: been proud when I should be grateful? How often have I used and benefited from a gift, then acted like it was mine?
At our recent pastors conference held at Life Center, I was asked, “Is this your house?”—meaning, “Are you the pastor who built this church?” I said yes. I should have said, “It’s the Lord’s church; I’m grateful to be part of what He has done here.” It’s not mine; I didn’t make it. So don’t be proud—be grateful.
I’m often complimented on being young for my age—dark hair, still active. I can feel proud about that; I should feel grateful. I inherited my mother’s genes, and those are a gift from God, along with my good health. It’s not mine; I didn’t make it. So don’t be proud—be grateful.
In both of these and in other things, I’ve made a contribution. But my contribution is one small part of the mix; the larger part is the gift of God and the gifts of others.
So don’t be proud—be grateful. Anytime you catch yourself feeling proud, taking credit, repent and be grateful instead.
Prayer: Lord, my life is not my own; it belongs to You. And everything I have is a gift from God. So help me to eschew pride and embrace gratitude—every time.