No doubt about it: what should we pursue in life?

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Today Kari offered the following lists where we discover how God relates to two kinds of people, the proud and the humble. She writes:

At a recent women’s conference we looked at this, and I was floored. Talk about two contrasting lists!  Check out how God relates to the proud, and to the humble:

First, the sobering list:

  • God’s wrath is on the proud (2 Chron. 32:25)
  • He pays back revenge on the proud (Ps 31:23)
  • He will not tolerate the proud (Ps 101:5)
  • He mocks the proud (Prov 3:34)
  • He tears down the house of the proud (Prov 15:25)
  • He detests the proud (Prov 16:5)
  • He punishes the proud (Prov 16:5)
  • He humbles the proud (Is. 2:12)
  • He throws the proud to the earth (Ez. 28:17)
  • He scatters the proud (Luke 1:51)
  • He opposes the proud (James 4:6)
But then, check this out. There’s a better list:
  • God saves the humble (2 Sam. 22:28 & Ps. 18:27)
  • He keeps back disaster from the humble (2 Kings 22:19)
  • He forgives and heals the humble (2 Chron. 7:14)
  • He holds back destruction and delivers the humble (2 Chron. 12:7)
  • He turns His anger away from the humble (2 Chron. 12:12)
  • He hears the humble (2 Chron. 34:27)
  • He guides the humble in what is right (Ps. 25:9)
  • He teaches  the humble His way (Ps. 25:9)
  • He sustains the humble (Ps. 147:6)
  • He crowns the humble with victory (Ps. 149:4)
  • He shows favor to the humble (Prov. 3:34)
  • He allows the humble to rejoice (Is. 29:19)
  • He looks on the humble with favor (Is. 66:2)
  • He gives rest to the humble (Matt 11:29)
  • He exalts and lifts up the humble (Matt 23:12, etc.)
  • He gives grace to the humble (James 4:6)
  • He shows favor to the humble (1 Peter 5:5)
If there were ever any doubt about what we should be pursuing in life, that doubt is now gone.

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

   “God opposes the proud 
   but shows favor to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

—1 Peter 5:5-7 (NIV 2011)

  • Reflection: Today, how will you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God? 
Photo credit: “Humility” by ToniVC