Pride and the Fall

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 16

Gold Nugget
Verse 18: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Commentary
Although a common verse and even quoted by people that do not serve God, today's "gold nugget" is often too popular to benefit from it's powerful message. After the tragedy of September 11th, people cringed at the images that were displayed on our televisions. I saw a documentary that explained the numbness that eventually took place and those very images lost their impact for many people. Familiarity does not always equate to application and effectiveness. In similar fashion, many who watched "The Passion of the Christ" wept upon seeing the horrific images that so intently portrayed our Savior's suffering. After seeing the movie more than once, many that were moved with compassion concerning His suffering had lost their connection with it's importance. In commissioning communion at "The Last Supper", Jesus said, 'As often as ye do this, do this in remembrance of me." He knew the importance of remembering the suffering that He endured.

In this passage from today's proverb, our challenge is to remember and keep alive the power of an old message despite how many times we've heard it. Many of us take great pride in our strength spiritually and our knowledge of the truth. We need to take seriously the challenge in today's "gold nugget". "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Today we may need to remember the power and impact this verse should have on us and allow it to soak in.

Prayer
Lord, I know that my pride can get me into trouble. I know the pain that can come from the fall that follows pride. Help me to remember how important it is to be humble and forgive me of the times that I've failed you. Amen


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