There is a story that has been going around for years about the Unsinkable Ship, the Titanic. Though never formally called unsinkable at the time, that truly was the opinion that went around from those who laid eyes on her. Due to that opinion, a story, which very feel could be fact (though still unproven), has circulated around about a woman being too frightened to board the ship.
"Is it safe?" She asks the deck hand. And the deckhand replied, "It is so safe, God couldn't sink this ship."
Though fiction it may be, the moral of the story is the same: "Never Put Your Lord God to the Test".
Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods of the people around you; for the Lord your God is a jealous God and he will destroy you from the face of the land. Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah.
Deuteronomy 6:13-16
There is another story that I hesitate to place in here. Of a woman astronaut who before launch was told, "God be with you" and she replied "God has nothing to do with this" Unfortunately, she passed away within minutes after take off. (Unproven as fact, but something I remember.)
The Lord works out everything for his own ends- even in the wicked for a day of disaster. The Lord detests the proud of heart. Be sure of this: they will not go unpunished."
Proverbs 16: 4-5
Pride, dear friends, is a slippery slope. Pride is hardening our hearts to God, and his teachings believing that we can do it without him. That everything that happens in our lives is because of our own hard work, and dedication. Saying you don't need God is a slap in the face to your father, who controls all.
Take Haman in this weeks Esther reading of Chapter 6. Haman was so arrogant and filled with pride that he assumed that Xerxes was going to honor him, so when Xerxes instead honored Mordecai he was mortified and humbled. God promises that he will humble a prideful spirit.
Pride goes before destruction.A haughty spirit before the fall.
Proverbs 16:18
God is not afraid to make us suffer the consequences of our prideful actions, just like any good father would. When I was younger, I thought I knew it all and could handle life on my own. I moved out of my parents house at 18 (senior in high school) even though I knew the consequences would be having to pay my college student loan myself. I was too prideful to humble myself and tell my friend that I wouldn't be able to move in with her after promising that I would, and too prideful to go back to my parents and apologize for doing it.
I can't begin to tell you if the titanic sank because people said it was unsinkable, or if that astronaut passed away because she said God had nothing to do with it. But what I can tell you is that God promises that the people with un-remorseful pride in their hearts will not go unpunished, and he has always kept his promises.
So friends, this is not meant to scare you. This is meant to make you think twice about where your heart is toward God.
Can you do life without him? Or Can you not live without him?
"Pride requires justice and will be destroyed either through repentance or through ruin."
-Love God Greatly Esther 6 Reading Plan Notes
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
James 4: 8-10
Chapter 1 - God is Working Even When You Can't See It
Chapter 2 - The Lesson In Waiting
Chapter 3 - Your Tongue Can Be A Snare to Your Soul
Chapter 4- For Such A Time As This
Chapter 5- Timing Is Everything
Chapter 6- A Lesson In Being Humble
Chapter 7- The Current
Chapter 8-10- When Hope is Lost, Trust In God
Your Turn! What did you learn in Esther 6 this week?
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