Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Daily DevotionalSample

You're Not ""All That"

There are certain "givens" in God's universe, and one of them is this: Humility is always a good thing. No matter what the situation or circumstance; no matter who, what, where, when, or how; God desires for us to be humble people. And God gives those who have this quality the guarantee that He will guide and teach them.

It's worth mentioning that being humble doesn't mean being down on one's self. Oh, I'm no good at that. I could never accomplish something like that. Humility isn't a matter of being defeated or depressed. In fact, depression and defeatism are actually subtle forms of pride, because they're essentially self-centered when you get right down to it.

Genuine humility, the kind of humility God desires, isn't self-centered but simply self-aware. It has an accurate understanding of one's place in this world. It understands its limitations apart from God-and at the same time its ability in God.

Interestingly enough, the Hebrew word here for humble carries the connotation of "learning through suffering." The idea is that a person goes through a painful process of realizing their weaknesses and limitations as they navigate this world. Just as they start to think they've got it all together, God allows something to happen to prove just how undone they are without Him.

That's the kind of humility we all need to possess. We need to be self-aware and in tune with how un-together we are. And as we are, we'll have the kind of hearts God can guide and teach.

Lord, help us to have the sort of self-awareness about our limitations that produces humility. Protect us from any attitude that would prevent us from being led and taught by You.

What does this passage reveal to me about God?

What does this passage reveal to me about myself?

Based on this, what changes do I need to make?

What is my prayer for today?