"Pride, Then a Fall" September 13 Readings: Isaiah 38-39, 1 Corinthians 14:26–40, Psalm 106:1–5, Proverbs 22:25–27
Reading the Bible in 2025
Each day this year, we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and a part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety.
NOTE: If you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!
Bible Readings: Isaiah 38-39, 1 Corinthians 14:26–40, Psalm 106:1–5, Proverbs 22:25–27
Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version
Daily Devotional: Pride, Then a Fall
If I hadn't done the same thing so often myself, I would consider Hezekiah quite the moron!
In Isaiah 38, God grants this righteous king of Judah one of the greatest blessings any man has ever had. Told that he is about to die, he begs God for more time, and God hears his prayers. God told him, in verse 6, that he would receive fifteen extra years of life.
Hezekiah was truly grateful and gave praise to God for the good things he had done. It was his intent to live out those fifteen years serving God as he had and praising God every day for the blessing he'd been given.
Again, I'd scorn Hezekiah if I hadn't done it myself. I come to the pulpit telling God that I just want to glorify him and communicate his truth. I admit that I am an unworthy vessel, a sinful spokesman for the kingdom. I stand before God's people, and my prayers are answered. My mind is clear, and my mouth is filled with God's truth. As I sit down, I think, "Wow, I was good today." How often do we tend to take credit for the great and gracious work of God in us? God does it, but I act as if it were done by my own hand.
Hezekiah's pride got him in trouble. When envoys from Babylon came to call, he showed them through "his" kingdom, showing off all of his treasures. His pride not only brought a rebuke from Isaiah but also led to great harm to the people. Some years later, that same nation would remember the great treasures inside Jerusalem and would lay siege to the city, sack it, plunder it, and utterly destroy it.
Remind you of a verse in Proverbs? "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." Maybe Solomon was prophesying to his descendant, Hezekiah.
You and I would certainly do well to heed that warning. You've heard the ditty, "God is good all the time." Properly understood, that is true, but we need to remember that the goodness of God is based on his mercy and grace, not on our merit. Our pride can only inhibit and hinder the work of God and bring the devastation of sin into our lives.
In Isaiah 38, God grants this righteous king of Judah one of the greatest blessings any man has ever had. Told that he is about to die, he begs God for more time, and God hears his prayers. God told him, in verse 6, that he would receive fifteen extra years of life.
Hezekiah was truly grateful and gave praise to God for the good things he had done. It was his intent to live out those fifteen years serving God as he had and praising God every day for the blessing he'd been given.
Something changed - the "something" that lurks in every one of us and is so prone to rising to the surface in me. Hezekiah became lifted up in pride. It seems so silly, but it is so common. Somehow, Hezekiah took pride in the gracious work of God in him, as if he deserved it; as if it happened because of how wonderful he was.The Lord is ready to save me;we will play stringed instrumentsall the days of our lives. Isaiah 38:20
Again, I'd scorn Hezekiah if I hadn't done it myself. I come to the pulpit telling God that I just want to glorify him and communicate his truth. I admit that I am an unworthy vessel, a sinful spokesman for the kingdom. I stand before God's people, and my prayers are answered. My mind is clear, and my mouth is filled with God's truth. As I sit down, I think, "Wow, I was good today." How often do we tend to take credit for the great and gracious work of God in us? God does it, but I act as if it were done by my own hand.
Hezekiah's pride got him in trouble. When envoys from Babylon came to call, he showed them through "his" kingdom, showing off all of his treasures. His pride not only brought a rebuke from Isaiah but also led to great harm to the people. Some years later, that same nation would remember the great treasures inside Jerusalem and would lay siege to the city, sack it, plunder it, and utterly destroy it.
Remind you of a verse in Proverbs? "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall." Maybe Solomon was prophesying to his descendant, Hezekiah.
You and I would certainly do well to heed that warning. You've heard the ditty, "God is good all the time." Properly understood, that is true, but we need to remember that the goodness of God is based on his mercy and grace, not on our merit. Our pride can only inhibit and hinder the work of God and bring the devastation of sin into our lives.
Father, remind me daily that your goodness is not based on my goodness, but on your grace. Protect me from the pride that hinders your blessing and devastates my life!
Consider God's Word:
Which of these four passages spoke most clearly to you today?
Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages?
Is there something in your life that needs to change?
Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to?
Pride is the constant struggle that each of us must engage and win.
Even a man of God such as Hezekiah fell prey to its perils.
Examine your heart - is pride dominating your heart and soul?
Even a man of God such as Hezekiah fell prey to its perils.
Examine your heart - is pride dominating your heart and soul?
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