We get to live by faith not only from our past experiences but also those in the present and in the future. It’s New Year’s Eve (Happy New Year), and we’ll usher in a new year at midnight. 2024 and the faith we walked in (and hopefully learned from) will be in the rearview mirror. The year ahead will certainly offer new opportunities to live by faith.
Faith From The Past
We can undoubtedly learn from not just this past year, but all prior years. Many of you will no doubt remember 2024 as a decadent chocolate dessert as it slowly melts in your mouth. Perhaps you’re healed from a difficult medical challenge, promoted at work, graduated from school, fell in love, got married, had your first baby, or your fifth? You have memories of incredibly joyful events. Maybe even more amazing, you were “born again” and became a follower of Jesus? All glory to God! Yes, many of you are currently thrilled to walk by faith in the goodness of God.
“Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.“ — Proverbs 18:12
“For Pride is spiritual cancer: it eats up the very possibility of love, or contentment, or even common sense.” -Timothy Keller
Christian, when we walk in humility, we walk within the circle of God’s blessing. The world tells us that we need more power, money, fame, position, praise, more…more…more! The Bible, however, actually calls a person like that a leech. The world is a leech!
“The leech has two suckers that cry out, “More, more!” — Proverbs 30:15
You see, God’s plan is the exact opposite of the world’s way. In the world, it’s always about more of me, more of me, and more of me. By contrast, the Lord tells us something else. We find true joy in thinking not less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves LESS.
Pride is indeed competitive by its very nature. If I am a proud person, then as long as there is one person in the world more powerful, richer, or smarter than I am, that person is my rival and enemy. Pride always means division and separation. Not only between people but also between us and God.
What It Is
To be humble, however, is to recognize that you don’t always need to be correct. To be humble is to realize that you certainly don’t know everything. To be humble is to remember you can apologize when you’re wrong. To be humble is to recognize that you can finally stop pretending to be the best at everything. To be humble means you can absolutely have real friendships without having to “prove” yourself.
The point of humility is that God wants you to know Him. But pride always gets in the way of that. He wants to give you Himself. And when you know Him, you will inevitably be humble — wonderfully humble! As a matter of fact, you will feel infinite relief. The relief of finally getting rid of all the silly nonsense of your inflated ego. It has only made you restless and unhappy all your life.
For now, think about this. God is good, and He loves you. He wants what leads to your greatest joy. So, if He tells you that pride leads to destruction, by all means, we must learn to listen and obey. Therein lies true joy.
This week, consider thinking of yourself less. Consider not fighting for first place but being content to be last. Not surprisingly, this is a pathway to joy.
The other day, I ran a quick errand to the grocery store. I pulled into my parking spot, and when I looked up, I noticed two cars near me backing straight into each other! The drivers were looking left and right but not behind them! With a split second to act, I honked my horn loudly without delay. As a result, both cars slammed on their brakes, narrowly averting an accident.
But I don’t think one of the drivers understood why I honked. After pausing, the driver continued to back out, glaring at me the whole time. I pointed at the other car they had almost hit. However, their facial expression suggested they had no idea why I honked. In fact, my honking had made them pretty angry.
Afterward, I processed this parking lot incident as I walked into the grocery store. I had seen an accident about to happen. And I had done something to prevent it. But the driver who glared at me had no idea why I did what I did.
Then it hit me. This is a tiny glimpse into the mind of God.
God sees all of time and space. He not only knows the past, present, and future, but is all-powerful. Additionally, He is our Good Father. But the Lord does things and brings situations into our lives that make no sense (from our earthly perspectives). Along with my own life, I can think of numerous trials and difficulties my friends and family are dealing with. Very hard things.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” — 1 Peter 5:10
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” — James 1:12
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” — Genesis 50:20
These verses present profound and yet challenging truths. Like the driver who glared at me, we often don’t understand why God has brought this or that trial into our lives. It certainly doesn’t make any sense. Also, it’s very difficult to accept. But faith is trusting that God sees what we don’t and knows what He is doing. Equally important, He is powerful and good.
So, through tears, we strive to trust and not glare.
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13)
With Christmas just a couple weeks away, I’ve been contemplating eternal matters. I’d like to share two different true stories that I experienced a few years ago. They are similar stories but have different endings. Both accounts involve funerals. One involved someone I’d never met, the other a dear friend.
“When the sun had set and darkness had fallen, a smoking firepot with a blazing torch appeared and passed between the pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram…” — Genesis 15:17-18
Genesis 15 shows an amazing covenant ceremony between God and Abram. God directs Abram to bring a heifer, a ram, and a goat. He is to cut each of them into two pieces and lay the sides opposite each other. This was a traditional covenant ceremony in the days of Abram. When two parties were about to enter into a contract, they would cut an animal (or animals) in two. Next, both parties would walk between the halves.
The word “Noel” has several meanings. Most notably, it communicates the news of God’s goodness and love expressed through the birth of His son, Jesus Christ.
