LEARNING DAILY

 

Isaiah 2:11-12, The eyes of the arrogant man will be humbled and the pride of men brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted on that day. The Lord Almighty has a day in store for all the proud and lofty, and all that is exalted (and they will be humbled),

 

 Isaiah is describing the day of the Lord for the people of Judah. The “day of the Lord” is spoken of throughout the Old and New Testament and refers to a terrible day of judgment. Prophets have foretold the people that a day is coming when God will hold those people accountable for rejecting Him and continuing to live in evil. In the day of Isaiah, those who have been worshipping idols are going to experience that day. They can try to hide but they will not be able to; “the Lord alone will be exalted on that day”. God knows where they are hiding! Those who have considered themselves to be “right in their own eyes” completely defeated and humbled.

 

One of the consequences of human pride is the belief that we can decide for ourselves – independent of God – how to live our lives and what is right and wrong. As you can read, that did not work out so well with the people of Judah; it will not work out well for people today. It may appear that people are successful, happy living life in rebellion against God and getting away with their evil actions. But just like the people of Judah, Isaiah’s message is just as relevant for today; there is coming a day of judgment where consequences come for rejecting God and living in sinful ways of arrogance and rebellion. Just like God brought down “the proud and lofty, and all that is exalted” in Isaiah’s prophecy, the day is coming when He will do the same in our present day.

 

May I share Solomon thoughts about the person who has pride in their heart? Proverbs 16:5 tells us, “Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished.” One who is prideful and an “abomination to the Lord” is convinced of his/her superiority due to achievement and awards, of their intellect, and their moral and spiritual things done. Because of their financial gifting to a project(s) or giving to a church or charity there is a belief that all is well with God. The prideful want all eyes on them; they believe things happen or get done because of them.

 

It is clear that God hates this pride in people. Why? The answer has to be that pride is the root of every other sin. It is a condition of the heart where one puts themselves and their will over God and His will. It is the person on the broad way to destruction instead of on the narrow way that leads to eternal life in God’s kingdom; it is the heart of one who decides what is good and evil.

 

Here is the good news! Even though pride is the chief of sins, it can be forgiven. It can be forgiven by the One who humbled Himself to become human in order to do the will of God on a cross. He humbled Himself to the point of dying on a cross so the one full of pride could find salvation and become the person His Father wants him/her to be. The hope of the one who is proud is found in the humble faith of a humble Savior. You only have to confess your pride, receive His forgiveness, and walk the narrow way for His glory!