[Wednesday's Devotional] - Humble Heart

Humble Heart If you hadn't noticed, Billy Graham has inspired my devotionals this week.   His last live crusade was in 2005, yet despite suffering from several maladies, including vision and hearing loss, water on the brain and Parkinson's disease since 1992, his preaching continued to have an impact. On his 96th Birthday his 'My Hope' program was televised nationally.   The psalmist wrote: " [The righteous] will still yield fruit in old age" Psalm 92:14 [NASB]  Graham's example and inspiration modelled how, even as our bodies weaken physically, we can grow stronger spiritually, in anticipation of heaven.   When asked what he hoped would be said about him at his funeral, he replied "I hope only that the name of the Lord Jesus be lifted up."   Billy Graham preached to 215 million people in person and hundreds of millions of others through media. He has filled stadiums on every continent. He has advised every U.S. president from Truman to Obama. He has consistently been near the top of every most-admired list. Yet he doesn't want to be mentioned at his own funeral. The Bible says: "God resists the proud, but he gives grace to the humble" 1 Peter 5:5. [NIV]   It's easy to see why. God resists the proud because the proud resist God. Arrogance stiffens the knee so it will not kneel, hardens the heart so it will not admit to sin. The heart of pride never confesses, never repents, never asks for forgiveness. Indeed, the arrogant never feel the need for forgiveness. Pride is the hidden reef that shipwrecks the soul.   The humble heart, however, is happy to do what pride won't. The humble heart is quick to seek God's help, grace and strength. God gives grace to the humble because the humble are hungry for grace.   "Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin" Proverbs 16:18 [NCV]  I love this verse in the Message paraphrase: "First pride, then the crash — the bigger the ego, the harder the fall." I have fallen hard many times, but the Lord is always there to lift me again.   Pride destroys relationships, but humility is the antidote to pride. Humility builds relationships "Live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble" 1 Peter 3:8 [GWT]   If, like me, you struggle with pride let this: 'My Song of Humility' be your prayer.   Dawn Milward   Twitter Website Copyright © 2018 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!