2-21-2024

Good Morning All,

       Proverbs 16:18; “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

          There is an old story about a frog who was friends with two ducks.  They lived together in a pond behind a farmer’s house.  They were friends for many years.  Yet a very bad drought struck the land.  Soon the pond was dried up except for a little mud in the middle.  The ducks were going to fly away but didn’t want to leave their friend the frog.  Soon the frog came up with the idea of holding onto a stick as the ducks held it in their mouths.  As they flew away the frog would hold on with his mouth and they would all fly to a new pond.  So, the two ducks took hold of the stick at each end and the frog took hold in the middle.  Soon they were flying high over the farmer’s house heading for the next pond.  The farmer looked up and saw the trio flying through the air.  The farmer scratched his head and said, “I wonder who thought of that?”  The frog opened his mouth and said, “I did!”

    Pride is one of our most egregious sins.  It is so slippery that we can be seduced into sin so craftily that we fall into the trap.  It begins so subtly; it begins with a whisper.  It begins with a little success.  It might be a pay raise; it might be an unexpected yield increase; it might be someone complementing you on your skills or talents.  At first, they are just that, complements.  Yet somehow the devil and our sinful nature start the whisper.  They tell us that we are that good, or special, or wonderful, or talented or whatever.  Soon we can hear the refrain that “they can’t do it without you.”  Then soon we believe it.  Our pride puffs us up and like an overfilled balloon; we will pop. 

    Pride causes us to look at ourselves and think we are great.  It is the sin of placing “me over God” and the devil enjoys slipping that one over on us.  So, it becomes the sin we always commit, placing me on the throne of God.  Yet God offers us hope.

    First, we are forgiven; God has graciously and mercifully removed our sins because of Jesus’ atonement.  He also offers us a better way.  We know that pride puffs up, but that love builds up.  Love is when we look at others and to their needs and not to our own selfish wants.  Love is the exact opposite of pride.  That is why love is the answer.  When we love others, we look to them and to their needs and concerns first.  We look to provide comfort and hope to others first.  When we do this, we can see how God is working in our life as well.  We can see his grace giving us the blessings of this life.  We see that it is truly his gifts and not our talents that are responsible for our successes and for our happiness.  God grace alone should erase all pride that we feel.  It is his mercy that blesses us.

Father, too often I look at your blessings and think that it is my doing.  Forgive me for my greed and my selfish pride.  Guide me by your Spirit to lead a life of love that puts others ahead of my wants and sees your great goodness in all of my doings.  Help me to destroy my foolish pride that I may better serve you in your kingdom.  In the precious name of Jesus, our Risen Savior, we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret