Read
4The Lord has a reason
for everything he does,
and he lets evil people live
only to be punished.
5The Lord doesn't like
anyone who is conceited—
you can be sure
they will be punished.
6 If we truly love God,
our sins will be forgiven;
if we show him respect,
we will keep away from sin.
7When we please the Lord,
even our enemies
make friends with us.
8 It's better to be honest
and poor
than to be dishonest
and rich.
9We make our own plans,
but the Lord decides
where we will go.
Reflect
Have you ever wrestled to make sense of something you have read in the Bible? I have.
Jesus walking on water, an axe floating on water, the sun standing still for an entire day; the Bible is filled with images that can be very difficult for people to wrap their minds around. This passage has one of those images.
We are reminded that the wicked and the proud will not go unpunished. Many people can understand this when it comes to someone who has done a terrible act to one or more people – after all, they are receiving justice. But verse 5 says something that seems particularly harsh. “The Lord detests all the proud of heart” (NIV).
“Detest” is a strong word, and “all” moves beyond the criminal who has done a terrible act that everyone can see deserves justice. God examines our heart for pride or humility.
The beauty of God’s story is that bad news always comes with good news. For the person who realizes their own pride, God has promised that he is faithful and that through his love and faithfulness our sin is atoned for.
In the love and faithfulness of God, we are reconciled to him and receive peace from him. He changes the motives of our heart from pride and arrogance and turns us to people who have been humbled by grace. Through his grace, we move from God detesting our proud hearts to God taking pleasure in our attitude.
We are gradually being conformed to his image. When we live in the hope of that righteousness, then our motives in life change. We no longer seek our own good at the expense of others.
Pride is a pathway to our destruction. Grace is the pathway to life.
Respond
Father God. Thank you for your grace and faithfulness.You, a holy God, love me even when my behaviour is unlovely. Remove whatever pride remains so that others can see you in me.
Kirk Giles
Kirk Giles is Co-Lead Pastor of Forward Church – a multisite church in the Waterloo Region area of Ontario. He previously served as President of Promise Keepers Canada | Impactus – a global ministry equipping men for a life of purpose and godly impact. Kirk is married to Shannon and together, they have four adult children and two daughters-in-law.