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The One I Esteem
Friday, August 30, 2024 by Rick Stockwell

The One I Esteem

 

READ Isaiah 66:1-2

This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

-  Isaiah 66:2b (NIV)

 

I read a newspaper article about a professional athlete who had been a champion at every level. During the interview, she bragged about how great and accomplished she was in her sport. While this may have been factually true, she should have considered letting others praise her instead of praising herself (Proverbs 27:2). In contrast, I remember meeting one of the founders of our church during the 1980s. He was kind, welcoming, unassuming, and genuinely interested in learning more about me rather than talking about himself. I found out later that he was a division president of a Fortune 500 company.

 Do you want to be esteemed by God? The first step involves being humble, which means you consider others more important than yourself (Romans 12:3). The second step involves being contrite in spirit, which means you recognize how much more holy and righteous God is than you (Isaiah 6:5). The third step involves trembling at God’s word, which means to revere, respect, and obey God’s word because you don’t want to displease him (Psalm 119:11).

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Arrogance is considering yourself more important than others, while humility is considering others more important than yourself.

 

Prayer:  Father in heaven, please help us to walk humbly with you each day (Micah 6:8).

 

Prayer Focus:  PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES

 

Rick Stockwell

Rick Stockwell is employed as an IT Program Manager. He teaches Sunday school for kindergartners, is an elder at his church, and is the author of two Christian novels: THE WALL and THE BATTLE. He's been married for thirty-four years, and has two children and five grandchildren.

Book link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07HQ8G3MJ 

 


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