Pride and Humility

So Haman came in, and the king said, “What should I do to honor a man who truly pleases me?” Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king wish to honor more than me?” [Esther 6.6]

Regardless what one thinks about any circumstance, there remains the distinct possibility that all is not known about that particular circumstance!

Furthermore, what one decides about a circumstance, without knowing all there is to know about it, is quite likely to lead to a surprise.

Most importantly, when one proudly inserts himself or herself in a circumstance without knowing all there is to know about it, a great humiliation is the likely result.

How does this apply to followers of God today?

I think Jesus described it best:

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! “Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” [Luke 14.7-11]

Humiliation is one thing. But for Haman, in his blind rage against Mordecai, humiliation was only the beginning of his woes! Haman's ill-intent for Mordecai led to his own demise and eventually the eradication of his family name (death of all his sons).

The point I see here today is the need for humility. God will exalt whomever needs to be exalted.

Father, may I be found humble before You and others. Forgive me for buying-in to the world's lies regarding self-preservation and self-exaltation.