The Greatest Test of a Man - Week 5

Isaiah 2:11-12
11 The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,
and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,
and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
12 For the LORD of hosts has a day
against all that is proud and lofty,
against all that is lifted up—and it shall be brought low;

If there is a single thing, a solitary sin that will strike a man and destroy him before the LORD it is pride. The references in Scripture are numerous. Pride goes before a fall (Pro 16:18); God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (Jas 4:6); The proud one shall stumble and fall, with none to raise him up (Jer 50:32). As all sins are a result of the fall, perhaps no other sin takes the place of pride. It is for pride's sake that the fool says in his heart, "there is no God," (Ps 14:1, 53:1). It is for pride's sake that men rebel against God and against His covenant. It is for pride's sake that a man spends all his energy to tear down both himself and his fellow man.

The Day of Judgment is the focal point of God's wrath against all that is proud. The verse above says that the LORD of hosts has a day. On that day, He will completely destroy all things that stand in pride against Him. On that day, He will vindicate Himself, His Son, His Holy Spirit, all His holy angels, and all the saints of God in one terrible and swift act of vengeance and destruction. Pride will not only become humility in that hour, but humiliation, but not to the benefit of those who stand against the LORD. Their final act of pride and obstinacy will be met with a blow that will never allow them to rise again. They will be utterly undone and cast into a place of outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mt 8:12), where the worm does not die and the fire is not quenched (Isa 66:24). There they will be tormented for all eternity and their disbelief in their Creator and His Redeemer will be like a constant nail driven into their own hands and feet, knowing the humiliation and pain of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ in unending misery and despair.

Therefore, pride in the life of the man of God has no place, in this life or in the next. The man of God finds his place in humility and thanksgiving. Knowing his guilt before the LORD and realizing the grace of God in Christ, and being grateful for such a redemption, he keeps his heart in a constant state of service to God, and to His Church, and his covenant family. But pride will always be there at the door waiting for him to step out into the world and show himself a man of the world, a respected one, a successful one.  Yet stepping out in pride is not just in the world, but also in Church. Therefore, that pride will always need to be checked at the door, rebuked, and cast off. The humble man knows that God alone is to receive the glory and exaltation. And he constantly bows his heart before the LORD in repentance and thanksgiving.

This is the greatest test of a man, that when he has every right to be proud, he gives the glory to God and considers himself an unprofitable servant.

Assignment:

1.  Memorize Isaiah 2:11-12.
2.  Read the entire 2nd chapter of Isaiah. Journal about the contrast between the mountain of the LORD and the Day of the LORD. Hint: Verses 1-5 talk about the eternal state of God's Elect. Verses 6-22 talk about the eternal state of God's enemies.
3.  Go to the link provided and look at all the references to "pride" and "proud". Jot down any that are meaningful to you.
4.  Journal on what areas in your life you believe to be prideful. Write a prayer and memorize it, so that when you are being prideful, you may remember the prayer and keep your heart humble. Hint: This can be a bible verse to memorize like Psalm 51:10, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."