Scripture:
Ezekiel 28
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: " 'In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas." But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god. 3 Are you wiser than Daniel [a] ? Is no secret hidden from you? 4 By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. 5 By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. 6 " 'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: " 'Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god,
Observation:
When success comes to us it can become a dangerous time - our skill, acquiring things can give us the sense that what we have achieved, we have achieved on our own. I recently sat with someone who is very successful in what they do and as a leader. They shared with me that they have amassed some great skills and tools and realize how to do many things - but they shared that God is and has been the reason they have been so blessed - He has provided them with opportunity beyond what they could have gained by them self. As we see from today's reading in Ezekiel it is easy to lift yourself up to a place where you cease being hungry or in need (due to the fact you have what you need) and begin drifting from God. Looking at the sequence of events - it was the success of travel, trade and wealth that caused pride to rise.
Pride is the first step to falling from God - for it not only builds a wall and creates a resistance from God too.
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (I Peter 5:5)
It is the pride of our heart that causes us to allow attitudes to rise that begin to say: I am god! I am capable of accomplishing things on my own. I can make it without God's intervention or power. It begins to breed 'self-trust' which is a form of idolatry. God warns the King what will come to him as a result of his internal prideful thinking. We can all take warning here as individuals and as a congregation. Even though LFC has seen much growth and blessing and we are moving forward to expand our facilities and are saving large amounts of money for the future - we know that it is God and God alone who has provided the blessings and the increase. It is not us - though we serve with the Lord - He could do it without us. We are dependent upon Him and we know we are not God - not even god. I recall the following statement as I read today's passages:
"The most dangerous time for any church is when they have the most people and the most money." - Erwin McManus
We must remain hungry for God and His power and in all our advances and success continue to rely upon Him. As a church we must continue to reach out to our community and not stop doing so, just because our seating becomes full - we must continue to be hungry for the things of God. In our personal lives - we must open up to the Lord and His power and never forget who is blessing us, empowering us and allowing us success. We are not God or a god - we are man (the created) and he is God (the creator). Real success is in keeping our place and power in perspective. The most dangerous time in life is when I think I am something I am not - when I raise my hand and say: "look at me" or when I begin to believe my value is in what I am and what I have done and not in my God and His love.
Prayer:
Great God and the Only God, May you remind us this day that pride is not our calling nor is 'godship.' You have made us to know you and allowed us blessings and grace beyond what we deserve. May we never attempt to take your place or to even rise up to your throne feeling we have a right to be there or have achieved something of value that makes us worthy of your place. We submit to you and place no other gods before you and not even ourselves. - Amen and Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment