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Proverbs Devotional 8.16.20

By August 16, 2020Daily Devotional

I. Prayer to enter the Lord’s presence:

Be still for a moment. “Lord, I give the day that is now past to you.  It is yours.  I give the day that is to come to you; help me to see where you are working and to join you there.  Speak to me during these moments.  I commit them and myself to you.”

 II. Prayer of Confession:

“Lord, you are faithful to forgive me and cleanse me of my sin when I confess it to you.  I confess my sin(s) of ______________.  Thank you for forgiveness.” (1 John 1:9)

III. Prayer of Thanksgiving:

Choose to be thankful, speak out loud of what God has done.
“Thank you, Father, for _________________.  Fill my heart and my mouth with gratitude throughout this day.”

IV. Scripture Reflection

Read: Proverbs Chapter 16

Reflect:

Proverbs 16:5

Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.

You don’t have to read through Proverbs long before it becomes crystal clear that the Lord doesn’t like pride. In fact, Proverbs 6:16 lists pride as the first of seven things that are detestable to Him. Detestable—think about that word; it’s a pretty strong word. It means to arouse intense dislike; it’s offensive to us. Detestable carries the sense of being an abomination; something that causes horror and disgust. Even as I sit here thinking about the word “detestable” and the things that I detest, I find my face beginning to scowl. You know what I’m talking about, it’s that look of disgust. It even makes your head move side to side as if to say, NO! It may even make you clench your jaw closed. That’s what it means to detest something. With that in mind, reread the proverb, “Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”

God hates pride because it’s an attempt to set ourselves above God. We think we know best. Pride is clearly on display when we decide that we know best how to determine what is right. Pride is a complete trust of self over God. It’s foolish and destructive. Pride is the cry of culture; you’ve heard its call before, “Just rely on yourself, follow your heart.” How’s that usually work out for folks? But God says something completely different. He says to trust in yourself is foolishness, because your heart is sinful (See Proverbs 28:26; 20:9). The truth is: God’s wisdom clashes with the wisdom of the world. The antidote for pride is humility. We’re to trust God, not ourselves (See Proverbs 3:5-6).

Respond:

Take some time this week and be still before the Lord. Examine your life. Ask God to reveal areas of your life where pride is active. Don’t be surprised at some of the ways it’s active in your life. Just confess it, turn from it, and determine to trust Christ—put your hope in Him. Look to God and His Word for wisdom.

V. Prayer for others:

Pray specifically for the concerns of your life and the lives of others. 

VI. Prayer of commitment:

Lord God, I commit to love you with all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength and with all my mind and to love my neighbor as myself.  Empower me today to love you and others with everything that I am.”  (Luke 10:27)

This Week’s Scripture Memory:
Proverbs 11:25

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

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