Title: So Not Worth It!/ Topic: Arrogance

Today’s Reading: Daniel 1; Daniel 2; Revelation 16

Scripture: Revelation 16:9, 10, 21
9 They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him... Men gnawed their tongues in agony 11 and cursed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, but they refused to repent of what they had done... (21b) And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible. (emphasis added)

Observation: These verses in Revelation always amaze me. It shows the hardness of heart and arrogance of the people that God is judging. In three different places it says they knew it was God bringing these judgments and yet they refused to repent. Not only did they refuse to repent but they cursed God for punishing them. They put themselves in the place of judging God by declaring their anger at his "unfair" judgments. Incredible arrogance! They have even had angels preaching the gospel to them before this and still they would rather keep their right of self-determination than repent of their sins and submit to God.

Application: Again, these verses make the point that arrogance that causes one to be absolutely unteachable and unsubmissive is a killer. It is this attitude that I must guard my heart against more than any other. It will cause me to justify any attitude or behavior I want to, and it will harden my heart against God and His Word.

Prayer: Father, I ask that your Spirit search me and try me and see if there be any wicked way in me. Especially cause me to be aware of any arrogant self-determination. I want to remain teachable always. Help us to train our children to be humble and teachable too. Forgive my sins as a parent and lead my children to embrace this truth as well. Give them hearts of flesh and not stone. May they submit to You fully and to the human spiritual authorities You have placed in their lives. Keep my grandchildren in Your hand as well and may they be trained to trust in and submit to You in all things. May their parents have wisdom and joy in raising them and may they always honor their parents.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.