Repentance Kills Pride

Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the LORD understand completely. [Proverbs 28.5]

Here is an interesting verse in Proverbs. Evil people do not understand justice. It might also be said that evil people do not understand suffering, pain and loss because that is exactly what suffering pain and loss are as defined by Deuteronomy 28. Suffering, pain and loss are judgements upon disobedience.

When considering the multiplied volumes of writings addressing disasters and misfortunes that befall people attempting to answer the question, "why?" it would be a good time to recall Proverbs 28.5.

In fact, any time we ask "why?" regarding pain and loss without first understanding what the Bible says about pain and loss, we are destined for misunderstanding, confusion, and in many cases, proud rejection of God Himself. All of us can think of someone that has rejected God in their troubles as if He had betrayed them.

According to the Bible (not popular religion), pain and loss (curses) indicate there has been disobedience and in contrast, well-being and gain (blessings) indicate there has been obedience. Again, it is all spelled out clearly and precisely in Deuteronomy 28. Please don't challenge me on this, challenge the Bible!

When faced with pain and loss, the problem surfaces at the instant - that moment - when we make the decision that we are innocent and do not deserve such. And where does that decision come from? We might say, "I don't deserve this!" Or, "I know in my heart that I have not disobeyed God." But, what does the Bible say about the heart?

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? [Jeremiah 17.9]

So, if our hearts are not trustworthy, what is? The Word of God. And God's Word says that pain and loss are the result of sin. Our only correct response therefore is repentance. Man's judgement of "guilty" or "innocent" matters not - but God's Word regarding "guilty" or "innocent" is foundational truth. If God determined that pain and loss indicate disobedience, then who are we to argue with God? Job teaches us clearly that arguing such a point with God is futile. Job tried that but ended up repenting.

What is it going to hurt to repent? Nothing ...except our pride. Repentance kills pride.

Father, in my pain I understand that I need to repent. Forgive me for repeatedly trying to reason out my innocence when my circumstances glaringly declare otherwise. Forgive me please of the ugly sin of pride in my life.