Read
For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
but the haughty he knows from afar.
Psalm 138:6
Reflect
One of my favorite movies is “Back to the Future.” Near the end, there’s a scene where nerdy George McFly punches out big and tough Biff Tannen. Throughout the movie, Biff has pushed George around, and you get the idea that Biff and his buddies pretty much run the school. So when George knocks Biff out, the audience generally cheers, because no one likes Biff. He’s a bully, and he’s full of himself. Fortunately, as it says in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” In Biff’s case, the fall is literal!
We usually don’t like people who are full of pride. We like people who think of others before themselves, and who are gracious when they do well, giving credit to the people around them. We tend to not want to be around folks who take all of the credit for themselves and who thump their chest, saying, “You’re right, I am that good.”
Jesus had all of the power in the universe, and yet the night before He died, He knelt on the ground to wash the feet of His disciples. That’s the example we’re supposed to follow. One day, you might be tempted to shout from the rooftops about how great you are, but what God wants is for us to remember that we’re nothing without Him – and that we’re no better than anyone else He’s created.
This week, when you do something well – maybe even something where you are recognized and honored in front of others – say a prayer to the Lord that He will keep you humble and gracious. Remember to thank Him for His goodness, and also remember to thank others for the help they give you.
Reflection copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
