Have you ever heard the proverb: pride comes before a fall…
Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 AMP
What is pride?
pride /prīd/ noun
- a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. Example: “the team was bursting with pride after recording a sensational victory”
Why should we let go of pride?
In I Samuel chapter 8, we find the elders of Israel asking for a king. The justification they gave the prophet Samuel was:
Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Look, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint us a king to judge us [and rule over us]…
The real motivating factor was not Samuel’s age or his sons. The real reason was they wanted to be: “like all the other nations.” (vs.5).
..so that we too may be like all the nations [around us], that our king may judge [and govern] us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 1 Samuel 8:20 AMP
Here we see not Samuel being rejected, but God Himself being rejected as Israel’s king.
The Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them. So now listen to their voice; only solemnly warn them and tell them the ways of the king who will reign over them.”
Understand,
God is faithful to correct us. Job had proud faultfinders coming up against him, but when contending with God’s justice in this matter, even Job was corrected. God answered Job,
Will you also annul (set aside and render void) My judgment? Will you condemn Me [your God], that you may [appear] righteous and justified? Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His? [Since you question the manner of the Almighty’s rule] deck yourself now with the excellency and dignity [of the Supreme Ruler, and yourself undertake the government of the world if you are so wise], and array yourself with honor and majesty. Pour forth the overflowings of your anger and look on everyone who is proud and abase him; Look on everyone who is proud and bring him low, and tread down the wicked where they stand [if you are so able, Job]. [Bury and] hide them all in the dust together; [and] shut them up [in the prison house of death]. [If you can do all this, Job, proving yourself of divine might] then will I [God] praise you also [and acknowledge that] your own right hand can save you. Job 40:8-14 AMPC
God then compared Himself to the behemoth and the leviathan.
Of behemoth,
See now, his strength is in his loins, and his power is in the sinews of his belly. He moves his tail like a cedar tree; the tendons of his thighs are twisted together [like a rope]. His bones are like tubes of bronze; his limbs [or ribs] are like bars of iron. Job 40:16-18 AMPC
Of leviathan,
“I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs, its strength and its graceful form. Flames stream from its mouth; sparks of fire shoot out. It makes the depths churn like a boiling caldron and stirs up the sea like a pot of ointment. It leaves a glistening wake behind it; one would think the deep had white hair. Job 41:12, 19, 31-32 NIV
Yes, do not be mistaken,
God is king over all that are proud.
He looks all mighty [beasts of prey] in the face [without terror]; he is monarch over all the sons of pride. Job 41:34 AMPC
Remember,
As we return to I Samuel, God has told Samuel to warn the people what kind of king to expect in lue of their rejection of Him. It’s, as if, through Samuel, God is saying, brace yourselves for the consequences of your own decision.
Samuel said, “These will be the ways of the king who will reign over you: he will take your sons and appoint them for himself to his chariots and among his horsemen and they will run before his chariots. He will appoint them for himself to be commanders over thousands and over fifties, and some to do his plowing and to reap his harvest and to make his implements of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. He will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vineyards and give it to his officers and to his servants. He will take your male servants and your female servants and your best young men and your donkeys and use them for his work. He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves shall be his servants. Then you will cry out on that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you on that day [because you have rejected Him as King].” 1 Samuel 8:4-5, 7, 9, 11-18 AMP
Jesus is the promised Messiah. As Messiah He is our king. As king He brings the rule of God into our life, the Word. We are to humble ourselves, obey, honor and give Him the praise.
Therefore,
…“Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live. Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Proverbs 4:4-5 AMP
For,
In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; He is more awesome than all who surround Him. Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord , are mighty, and Your faithfulness surrounds You. You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them. You crushed Rahab like one of the slain; with your strong arm you scattered Your enemies. The heavens are Yours, and Yours also the earth; You founded the world and all that is in it. You created the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon sing for joy at Your name. Your arm is endowed with power; Your hand is strong, Your right hand exalted. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; love and faithfulness go before You. Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You, who walk in the light of Your presence, Lord . They rejoice in Your name all day long; they celebrate Your righteousness. For You are their glory and strength, and by Your favor You exalt our horn. Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord , our king to the Holy One of Israel. Psalms 89:7-18 NIV
Hannah says it best,
Hannah prayed, and said, My heart exults and triumphs in the Lord; my horn (my strength) is lifted up in the Lord. My mouth is no longer silent, for it is opened wide over my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation. There is none holy like the Lord, there is none besides You; there is no Rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance go forth from your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty are broken, and those who stumbled are girded with strength. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them will He thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge [all peoples] to the ends of the earth; and He will give strength to His king (King) and exalt the power of His anointed (Anointed His Christ). [Luke 1:46.] 1 Samuel 2:1-4, 10 AMPC