Good Morning.
I will break the pride of your power; I will make your heavens like iron and your earth like bronze. and your strength shall be spent in vain. (Leviticus 26:19-20)
I realize that most devotionals are intended to be uplifting, encouraging and, generally speaking, deal with topics that are positive in nature. However, it is impossible to read through the Scripture and not realize that the overwhelming message is realistic in its approach. In short, there are a lot of negatives in life to deal with and, so, it is important to know how to respond to them, including our tendency to do our own will instead of walking in obedience to God’s Word.
Knowing it is our nature to resist His Will, He reminds us of the consequence in the hope that we will avoid those consequences. It seems to me that, in order to do so, the main culprit has to be addressed — pride. An unwillingness to swallow our pride and humble ourselves is what so often leads to our disobedience. This problem is amplified when we become too accustomed to blessing and prosperity. In fact, rabbinical commentators believe that prosperity, in many cases, is the source or the “power” that causes us to become proud. In other words, the feeling of independence that results from prosperity can provoke us to think we don’t need God and that we aren’t bound to His instructions for life.
If pride, induced by our prosperity, is the reason for our disobedience then it is necessary to “break the pride of your power” and remove the source for the blessings that rendered that prosperity. Thus, He causes the heavens to cease giving rain to the earth which, in turn, ceases to produce its fruit. All of our technology and know how won’t change anything if He has determined to get our attention. And so, as followers of Messiah, it is critical that we continually resist the inclination to be proud and resistant to our Father’s Will — and the still small voice that prompts us to change our ways. It should be our nature to walk humbly before Him with tender hearts and minds sensitive to His Spirit and His Word.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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