Psalm of the Day: Psalm 123:1-4
Wisdom for the Day: Proverbs 3:17-35
Scripture Reading: Luke 10:17-20
We learn Christians can be puffed up with success. The seventy returned from their first mission with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject unto us through your name." There was much false fire in that joy. There was evidently self-satisfaction in that report of achievements. The whole tenor of the passage leads us to this conclusion, but Jesus warned against pride.
The lesson is one which all who work for Christ should mark and remember. Success is what all faithful laborers desire. The desire is right and good.
Let it, however, never be forgotten, that the time of success is a time of danger to the Christian's soul. Let us pray much for humility, and especially for humility in our days of peace and success. Then is the time when we have need to be doubly watchful over our own hearts. Then is the time when seeds of evil are sown within us by the devil, which may one day astound as by their growth and strength! The caution of the passage before us ought never to be forgotten. In the midst of our triumphs, let us cry earnestly, "Lord, clothe us with humility."
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, please clothe me with humility.
Action Plan: Review what recent successes you have had in life. How have you attributed them to God? How has he received the glory?
This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858
and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.
