PRIDE

Pride is a condition that’s common to all mankind. It doesn’t matter our age, ability, social status, or culture – we’re all prone to exhibit aspects of this self-promoting attitude.

“Now he waited seven days, according to the appointed time set by Samuel, but Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattering from him. So Saul said, ‘Bring to me the burnt offering and the peace offerings.’ And he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him and to greet him. But Samuel said, ‘What have you done?’ And Saul said, ‘Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, and that the Philistines were assembling at Michmash, therefore I said, “Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not asked the favor of the Lord.” So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering.’ Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you, for now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not endure. The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you,’” (1 Samuel 13:8-14, NASB).

As Israel’s first king, Saul was to lead by following God’s instructions under the power of the Holy Spirit. To be successful, he needed to remember two things: Any authority he had came from the Lord, and his responsibilities included executing God’s plan, leading the people by example, and obeying divine commands. But like so many of us today, Saul acted as if he were in charge rather than the Lord. Because of prideful self-reliance, he broke God’s commandment and exercised priestly duties, which were not rightly his.

We may be thinking this doesn’t apply to us since we don’t have a high position. But in reality, we do. As Christians, we’ve been chosen to be God’s people, and He has special work for each of us to accomplish. That’s why His Holy Spirit dwells within us as His children: to guide and empower us for our part in the divine plan.

Do we sometimes think our way is better than God’s? Independence flows from pride, but a humble heart lives in complete reliance upon God.

~ Jeff