Read Jeremiah 45 – 48
Highlights:
Man has a tendency to seek glory for one's self rather then stay under the authority of the Lord (45:5). Remember Genesis 12:3? Through Jeremiah, God sends a special word for the nations, beginning with Egypt (chap. 46); Philistia (chap. 47); and Moab (chap. 48).
We have heard the pride of Moab, (he is exceeding proud) his loftiness, and his arrogancy, and his pride, and the haughtiness of his heart (Jer. 48:29).
Over and over again in the Scriptures, God warns us against the sin of pride. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense (2 Chron. 26:16). Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18). He has made it clear that pride blinds you to the Truth that is God. Pride causes your focus to shift from God to self.
Does this mean that God does not want us to experience pleasure upon the successful completion of a task? Of course not! God wants us to give our best efforts in everything we do, and the only way we will be able to do that is if we are able to feel that rush of personal satisfaction at the end of a job well done. Pride comes into play when you look at something and say "look what 'I' did" instead of "look at what God enabled me to do." Pride presents a significant stumbling block in our quest to serve God. Whenever you think, "God needs me to," you know pride is starting to rear its ugly head. We need God; God doesn't need us. God loves us, and He wants us to be involved, but none of us are necessary to carry out His plan.
Approach each day with humble prayer, and open yourself to the role that God has for you now. End each day with thankfulness for the tasks He has allowed you to accomplish.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith (Rom. 12:3).
Thought for Today:
We will reap good fruit if we plant good seed.
Christ Revealed:
As the One who lovingly corrects His people (Jer. 46:28). Whom the Lord loveth He hasteneth (disciplines), and scourgeth (whips) every son whom He receiveth (Heb. 12:6).
Word Studies:
46:4 brigandines, armor; 46:11 daughter, people; 48:2 be cut down, perish; 48:10 deceitfully, negligently; half-heartedly; 48:19 espy, watch; 48:41 Kerioth is, Cities are.
Prayer Suggestion: Praise the Lord for the privilege of publishing His Word (Ps. 68:11).
Optional Reading: Revelation 1
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 90:12