Devotional - September 3, 2025
Scripture: Proverbs 25: 6-7 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.
Proverbs has been around since the tenth century BC. One would think it would be long forgotten and antiquated by now. Yet, it remains relevant. The proverbs are as relevant today as they were many years ago. They may need a contemporary touch here and there, but they have stood the test of time. Why? Because, in some ways, things have not changed. There are still people trying to be what they are not. Or seek fame or attention, claiming what they are not. Look at me, they call to the world. Look at me, I am somebody! The problem is, they get the attention they want and it becomes their downfall. The Proverbs say it best, pride goes before destruction. A haughty spirit before the fall (Proverbs 16: 18). My guess is, if you are reading this devotional, you have seen it time and again. And maybe, like the writer, you have even experienced it a time or two yourself. The comfort I get from Proverbs is the knowing that God knows we will do such things. Rarely, are people dissuaded from this kind of behavior when they read the Proverbs. It's usually afterward when we are likely to hear what they have to say, and we say, that's me... But God's faithfulness and love, picks us up, and gets us going again (Psalm 40:2). A little wiser and less prideful this time. It's sad that we have so many people who want attention and credit for everything. It shows they are needy and do not have a right understanding of themselves. What is really sad is they get themselves in situations like that of today's Proverb. Then, they feel more humiliated and more damaged and they try even harder to compensate for it. What a mess. Thanks be to God, that we are not in that cycle of destruction. We ask for forgiveness from God and others because we know we are not perfect. We don't need to be told it because, by the grace of God, we claim our own lives, worts and all. We recognize we have messed up. We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2: 8-9) and loved by God (1 John 4:19). And if that understanding takes root in our life, we then can express that love toward others (Ephesians 4: 2-3). We can see the big picture and do the right thing. Actions like that garner the attention of others in a positive way. It may not get the attention of earthly kings nowadays, but it certainly is appreciated by our Heavenly King (Colossians 3: 23-24).
Pray with me ..., Holy God, we confess we overstep our bounds from time to time. We forget who we are to You and chase the praise of the world. Forgive us. May we know the love of Christ. Hear us as we pray for our loved ones. We ask Your blessing upon them and on our church. Lead us O God, so we can be the people You call us to be, in Jesus name, Amen.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Brian
