P R I D E.....
We can have pride in a team (Go Braves), pride in our accomplishments, pride in our children, but, pride isn't necessarily a good thing. The Bible has a lot to say about this 5 letter word that creeps into our heart. And just for the record, it's the lesson I most need to learn and relearn from the scriptures. Pride comes before a fall, so watch out!
Malachi 1:4 reads:
'Edom may say, "Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins."
But this is what the Lord Almighty says: "They may build but I will demolish."
In this scripture, Edom (the geographical location) was relying on her own strength. She was prideful in saying what she WILL DO on her own despite what was God's Sovereign will or plan for the nation. Edom had been destroyed and planned to rebuild. God reminded them, that, in fact, even if they did rebuild, they would be demolished, wiped out. This is the story of the two nations of Israel and Edom. One receiving blessing and one cursing.
The two nations came from Jacob and Esau, the two twins that the Bible prophesied would be at war with one another. On Day 3, I wrote that through God's Sovereign will, Jacob became the nation of Israel which was chosen and blessed by God as a nation and Esau became the land of Edom. Edom had been destroyed and was adamant would come back with a vengeance.
God basically said you can do what you want but I have control, "They may build but I will demolish".
One of the key lessons the Bible speaks on is that of pride and denying self. As a whole, we humans are independent and stubborn, like these Edomites, wanting to do things our way without the intervention of a God who has all knowledge. We want to be our own Master but true freedom comes when we surrender our lives to the One who controls all things. I don't think we understand this principle until we realize His life must come out of us, not our own. 1 Corinthians 4:7 reminds us, "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." We must be broken (of ourselves) and poured out (all Him) for others before He can use us and before we are able to experience true freedom.
"Living It Out":
Instead of being so determined to do it our way, we should ask Him before we build something (our lives, our homes, our future, our career, our families) and allow Him to be the Master Builder
WE SAY : "though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins"
GOD SAYS: "They may build but I will demolish."
If you are a Christ Follower, the daily trials He gives us are to profit us, not harm us.
