Day By Day Grace Readings October 1

'''[[Day By Day Grace Readings October 1]], [[October 2nd|October 2nd]] [[October 3rd|October 3rd]] [[October 4th|October 4th]] [[October 5th|October 5th]] [[October 6th|October 6th]] [[October 7th|October 7th]] [[October 8th|October 8th]] [[October 9th|October 9th]] [[October 10th|October 10th]] [[October 11th|October 11th]] [[October 12th|October 12th]] [[October 13th|October 13th]] [[October 14th|October 14th]] [[October 15th|October 15th]] [[October 16th|October 16th]] [[October 17th|October 17th]] [[October 18th|October 18th]] [[October 19th|October 19th]] [[October 20th|October 20th]] [[October 21st|October 21st]] [[October 22nd|October 22nd]] [[October 23rd|October 23rd]] [[October 24th|October 24th]] [[October 25th|October 25th]] [[October 26th|October 26th]] [[October 27th|October 27th]] [[October 28th|October 28th]] [[October 29th|October 29th]] [[October 30th|October 30th]] [[October 31th|October 31th]] ''' ---- ===Scorn for the Scornful, Grace for the Humble=== <span style="color:darkred">'''Surely''' He '''scorns''' the '''scornful''', but gives '''grace''' to the '''humble'''.</span style="color:darkred"> (Proverbs 3:34) The scriptures emphasize the Lord's commitment to pour out '''grace''' upon those who walk in '''humility''', while '''opposing''' the path of those who walk in '''pride'''. "But He gives more '''grace'''. Therefore He says: 'God '''resists''' the '''proud''', but gives grace to the '''humble'...''' Be clothed with '''humility''', for 'God '''resists''' the '''proud''', but gives '''grace''' to the '''humble'...''' Though the '''LORD''' is on high, Yet He '''regards''' the '''lowly'''; But the '''proud''' He '''knows''' from '''afar'''" (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; and Psalm 138:6). In our present verse we have another pointed example. "'''Surely''' He '''scorns''' the '''scornful''', but gives '''grace''' to the '''humble.'''" It is an absolute certainty that the Lord will scorn the scornful. "'''Surely''' He '''scorns''' the '''scornful'''." The scornful person shows arrogant disregard for the Lord and His righteous ways. He is a mocker of godliness and a boaster in wickedness. The Lord will assuredly scorn such people. He will treat them with a holy disdain. He will reject their path with holy contempt. For so many of us who have a heart for the Lord, walking scornfully before the Lord is not a likely threat. However, somewhat related attitudes may become a part of our walk (even inadvertently). Pride and haughtiness are two of the most common, and most deadly. "'''Pride''' goes before destruction, and a '''haughty''' spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). These companion evils could both be summarized as '''self-exaltation'''. Such an approach to life always results in devastating downfalls. These attitudes and their consequences are most fully illustrated by the history of the devil himself. Before he became the ultimate rebel against God, he was a magnificent, privileged angelic being. "You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God...You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, '''till iniquity''' was found in you." (Ezekiel 28:14-15). This iniquity that developed was '''self-exaltation'''. "How you are '''fallen''' from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!...For you have '''said''' in your '''heart:... I will be like the Most High'''" (Isaiah 14:12-14). This haughty exalting of self brought a disastrous fall, which will end up forever in hell itself. May we daily chose to walk with God's humble saints, refusing to join the ranks of the proud, with their self-advancing schemes. "'''Better''' to be of a '''humble''' spirit with the '''lowly''', than to '''divide''' the '''spoil''' with the '''proud'''" (Proverbs 16:19). <span style="color:red">Lord God Most High, I repent of the times that I have exalted myself in word or deed or attitude. I renounce the prideful path of self-advancing humanity. I want to identify with Your humble saints, looking to You to shape and use our lives through Your abounding grace, '''Amen.'''</span style="color:darkred"> [[Category:Daily Readings]]