Humility As Security

REFERENCE: Proverbs 18:11-12 The rich think of their wealth as a strong defense; they imagine it to be a high wall of safety. 12 Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.

Observation: This seems like a good verse to consider on a week when we are contemplating the founding of our country and celebrating our freedoms. Prior to 9/11 we, as a country, seemed to truly believe that we were safe because we were rich. We could afford the best defense that money could buy. In the years since, we have found out that money alone can not buy security. We all seem to feel that another attack could come at any time. Money and power do not equal complete security.

If our blessed United States is going to retain and regain its greatness, it needs a dose of humility. Many have said that it needs humility in foreign affairs. Certainly our experience in Iraq shows the foolishness of pretending that we don’t need to form coalitions with other nations to achieve great ends.

However, the real humility our country needs is before God. "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves . . ." We have been a proud country and we are a proud country desperately in need of a revival. The only way that revival comes is when people humble themselves, realize their need for God, and pray. Only then can our country be honored by God and that is the only kind of honor that really matters.

Application/Confession: The humbling for prayer must come first from believers like me. "If my people . . ." the scripture reads. It is up to me and others like me, to humble myself and pray for the country I love. We need a revival and the prayer for that revival starts with those of us that are believers.

PRAYER: Lord, heal our land. Heal our communities. Heal our nation. Raise Your people up to pray. Help me to remember to pray for my country.