Reading
SAA Notes
Assyria was the terrorist nation of its day. God’s tells His people that He will judge not only His Church, but also Assyria, the rod of His anger. God holds us accountable for the how of our service, as both Israel and Assyria learnt. Some hundreds of years later, Ezra, Nehemiah and the other returning exiles found these words about the remnant of comfort and hope.
SJA Notes
* Father God, thank You for Your word. Please show us Jesus today.
“For he says: ‘By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding;'”
God is against pride and arrogance.
We see this today with the King of Assyria.
And we see it in Daniel chapter 4, where King Nebuchadnezzar himself tells the story of his pride and arrogance, the Lord humbling him, and then the Lord restoring him.
“At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,”
Humility is important. Meekness is not weakness but strength under direction.
But pride in our selves, having the arrogance to think we are better than others, better than God – These are unhealthy directions for the believer and unbeliever alike.
Why?
There’s a really simple answer. One that can be hard to grapple with.
Why? From 1 Peter 5 (and James 4 carries the same message),
“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
God opposes the proud.
God gives grace to the humble.
Let us choose wisdom today and work and wrestle to clothe ourselves with humility before our Lord and those around us.
* Mighty God,
You are the Sovereign Creator God, praise Your Name!
Your love is steadfast and true, Your faithfulness without end.
Thank You Lord!
Amen.