Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119:81-88
Wisdom of the Day: Job 38:21-41
Scripture Reading: Luke 9:46-50
The verses we have now read contain two most important warnings. They are directed against two of the commonest evils which are to be found in the Church of Christ.
The Lord Jesus gives us a warning against pride and self-conceit. We are told that "A dispute arose among the disciples, as to which of them would be the greatest." Astonishing as it may seem, this little company of fishermen and publicans was not beyond the plague of a self-seeking and ambitious spirit. Filled with the vain notion that our Lord's kingdom was to appear immediately, they were ready to wrangle about their place and priority in it. Each thought that his own claim was the strongest. This happened in the company of Christ Himself and under the noon-tide blaze of His teaching! Such is the prideful heart of man.
There is something very instructive in this fact. It ought to sink down deeply into the heart of every Christian reader. Of all sins, there is none against which we have such need to watch and pray as pride. It is a pestilence which walks in darkness, and a sickness which destroys at noon-day. No sin is so deeply rooted in our nature as pride. It cleaves to us like our skin. Its roots never entirely die.
At the same time, no sin is so senseless and deceitful. It can wear the garb of humility itself. It can lurk in the hearts of the ignorant, the ungifted, and the poor as well as in the minds of the great, the learned, and the rich. Let a prayer for humility and the spirit of a little child, form part of our daily supplications. Of all creatures, none has so little right to be proud as man. And of all men, none ought to be so humble as the Christian.Let us be ready, on all occasions, to take the lowest place. And let the words of our Savior ring in our ears continually, "He who is least among you all — he is the greatest.".
Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, please help me to see my pride and choose to be humble.
Action Plan: The question is not whether or not you struggle with pride, but rather when and how. Take time to evaluate you pride and confess it to the Lord.
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.
