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In Order. Why Be Humble

September 5, 2017. Ezekiel 28-31.

 

One of the biggest lies, that has flourished since the beginning of man’s existence, is found in the words from the lips of the serpent to Eve in the garden when he boldly told her, “and you will be like God.” (Genesis 3:5)

Since that moment, the actions and thoughts of many individuals are what the Lord says to the prince of Tyre:

Ezekiel 28:2 Your heart is proud, going around saying, “I'm a god.” (MSG)

But God Himself sets the record straight when He declares:

Yet you are a man, and not a god, though you set your heart as the heart of a god.

Whether it is the prince of Tyre, the Pharaohs of Egypt or anyone else who believes this lie, first spoken to Eve, the truth will always be, there is one God, and it is not us, mere men and women.

Driving this point home, is God actually telling us how awesome this prince of Tyre was,  

28:11 “…the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty” (to quote God)

He tells us how Pharaoh and his multitude were great, 

    31:2Whom are you like in your greatness.” (again, to quote God)

But their wisdom, beauty and greatness did not make them god.  And when they began to act this way, God had one very simple message:

    29:3 “Behold I am against you.”

Five simple words that are what these four chapters are about.  Chapters telling us of the disaster God brings about when someone thinks and acts like they are god. 

Here is a foundational reminder given to us in today’s passage.  No matter how wise, beautiful or great God makes us, we must always, always live our lives in this way… 

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Why does He lift us up?  

Psalm 149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation.

Which is the better path for a daily life?

 

  • “Behold I am against you.”

Or

  • “the LORD takes pleasure in His people”

When we quit acting like God, in our actions, opinions and decisions, and instead humble ourselves before the only God, the LORD, as truly His people, then He takes pleasure in us and will lift us up or exalt us.

And when the Lord does exalt us, it will, by definition, always be even better than the wisdom, beauty and greatness He has already blessed us with in our life.

Robert McClendon

Bob McClendon grew up in Pennsylvania, spent most of his adulthood in Colorado, and is now ready to learn how to be a Texan. He married his high school sweetheart, Tracy, in 1975. They have two...more