FOLLOWING THE MASTER – A Lenten Devotional

10^th Day of Lent

February 20, 2016

Hiding in the Secret of His Presence

8 Copyright 2016 Monica Hernandez

AThou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues@ (Psalm 31:20, KJV).

David affirms that AGod will hide those who fear Him in the secret of His presence from the pride of man.@ This has a twofold significance: first, God will hide us from the effect of the pride of other persons toward us, and secondly, God will hide us from becoming prideful. David also affirms that AGod will keep those who fear Him secretly in a pavilion from the strife of others...@

Other Scriptures tell us that God hates pride and resists the proud. What promotes pride? It is an excessive focus on self and the accomplishments of self rather than on the greatness and power of God. When we begin to become obsessed with self, and pride sets in, we can know we are heading for destruction. But when we seek the Lord=s presence as a refuge from pride, He will reveal to us the attitudes we need to change and how to overcome pride.

Pride is destructive to our souls but we can resist it by practicing to be humble and asking God for His help. Sometimes, in challenging situations, we succeed in being humble, yet at other times we fail, but as we continue to practice being humble, we will grow into that state, and when the pride of man and strife of tongues come, the Lord will keep us secretly from their effects.

To be humble means not to be easily provoked. Yet it does not mean to be lamely submissive or be a walk-over. To be humble is to know our rights: both civil and spiritual and be assertive about them without being arrogant. To be humble is to be charitable to others, also to have spiritual strength, which only arises out of an abiding peace in the heart.

The Bible tells us that pride is the forerunner of destruction and a fall. Truly, pride is the result of faulty thinking and feeling, and as such, its consequence will always be faulty. When we allow prideful thoughts and feelings to fill our minds we will always be led astray. However, with the help of Jesus, our Master, we can change those thoughts and feelings

Often, our pride interferes with our motives when doing favours for others. As we do favours for others, it would be wise for us to inquire of ourselves: AWhat is my motive here?@ AIs it to merely satisfy my pride or is it in the labour for Christ?@
SUGGESTED READINGS: Psalm 31:20; Psalm 91:1; Proverbs 16:18 James 4:10.
PRAYER: "Heavenly Father, hide me in the secret of your presence always, keep me from the strife of others, and help me overcome prideful thoughts and feelings. Amen."
THOUGHT FOR TODAY