Hosea 12:8-9

December 30, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Ephraim has said, ‘Ah, but I am rich; I have found wealth for myself; in all my labors they cannot find in me iniquity or sin.’ I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; I will again make you dwell in tents, as in the days of the appointed feast.” (Hosea 12:8-9)

Two things stand out to me: First, Ephraim’s pride. Ephraim is rich and believes he built it himself. Additionally, he claims sinlessness. 

How easy it is for a business owner (I’m thinking of me, specifically) to think he built it himself. After all, I got up early every day. I made the contacts. I did the teaching. I, I, I. Where is God in that calculation?

Second, God essentially said, “We’ll see about that.” God has a unique capacity to bring down the proud. In this case, will go back to tents in exile. And no doubt, some went kicking and screaming, “Why me? I didn’t do anything!” Why is my pride do heard to wrestle? This reminds me of substituting in a junior high In School Suspension recently. Out of the 12 or so kids who came through, not one of them did anything to be there. The system was simply against them. No amount of reasoning could bring them to admit any wrongdoing. 

Father, help me to crucify my flesh and my pride that I may serve you in righteousness. Amen. 

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Hosea, humility, Old Testament, pride

Daniel 11:32

December 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” (Daniel 11:32)

This verse seems to be describing folks in a specific situation under the influence of Antiochus Epiphanes. However, the core elements are surely applicable to me. 

There are two groups of people: those who violate the covenant (with God) and those who don’t. The former are moved by flattery, which is nothing more than insincere praise. In my mind, this person is driven – even manipulated – by pride, and thus they are seduced with flattery. 

The latter stand firm because they know their God. I surely want my pride to be in check so that I’m not tempted to evil by flattery. Humility can be a tremendous asset in these situations. I also want to know God deeply, so deeply that I stand firm in my faith when worldly offers are tossed my way. 

Father, please help me to be humble, so that I remain faithful to you rather than be drawn away by flattery. Amen.

Filed Under: Daniel, devotional thoughts, humility, Old Testament, pride

Ezekiel 29:8-10

November 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“Therefore thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will bring a sword upon you, and will cut off from you man and beast, and the land of Egypt shall be a desolation and a waste. Then they will know that I am the Lord. “Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it,’ therefore, behold, I am against you and against your streams, and I will make the land of Egypt an utter waste and desolation, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Cush.” (Ezekiel 29:8-10)

Now, it is Egypt’s turn to hear her punishment. But first, why is Egypt being punished? “Because you said, ‘The Nile is mine, and I made it.’” There is pride. Then, there is PRIDE. To figuratively look to the heavens and claim that you made the Nile River is a crazy theft of God’s glory. That’s on the level of a US president saying he made the Mississippi River!

Every repercussion is not immediate. But we can be sure that when we attempt to rob God of His glory, there will be repercussions. In this case, Egypt will be laid waste by Babylon, and the people will be scattered among the nations. Now, God said this desolation will be for forty years. However, Egypt will never see the glory it once had. And that is what we see today.

Lord, help me to closely examine my heart for sprinklings of pride. Please help me have the heart and determination to humble myself in those areas. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Egypt, Ezekiel, humility, Old Testament, pride

Ezekiel 27:35-36

November 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“All the inhabitants of the coastlands are appalled at you, and the hair of their kings bristles with horror; their faces are convulsed. The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.” (Ezekiel 27:35-36)

The prophecies against Tyre continue in chapter 27. In this prophecy, the Lord describes the glory of Tyre:

“Your borders are in the heart of the seas; your builders made perfect your beauty.” (27‬:‭4‬)

“Persia and Lud and Put were in your army as your men of war. They hung the shield and helmet in you; they gave you splendor.” (27‬:‭10‬)

“Tarshish did business with you because of your great wealth of every kind; silver, iron, tin, and lead they exchanged for your wares.” (27‬:‭12‬)

“In your market, these traded with you in choice garments, in clothes of blue and embroidered work, and in carpets of colored material, bound with cords and made secure. The ships of Tarshish traveled for you with your merchandise. So you were filled and heavily laden in the heart of the seas.” (27‬:‭24‬-‭25‬)

Tyre was a mover and shaker in the ancient world. Wealth and power … but remember the issue raised in chapter 26: “Son of man, because Tyre said concerning Jerusalem, ‘Aha, the gate of the peoples is broken; it has swung open to me. I shall be replenished, now that she is laid waste,’ therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I am against you, O Tyre, and will bring up many nations against you, as the sea brings up its waves.’” (26‬:‭2‬-‭3‬)

Rejoicing over Israel’s fall brought the wrath of the Lord on them at the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

Now, back to chapter 27. The Lord describes the fall of Tyre:

“Your rowers have brought you out into the high seas. The east wind has wrecked you in the heart of the seas. Your riches, your wares, your merchandise, your mariners and your pilots, your caulkers, your dealers in merchandise, and all your men of war who are in you, with all your crew that is in your midst, sink into the heart of the seas on the day of your fall.” (27‬:‭26‬-‭27‬)

All the things that were evidence of Tyre’s glory were lost. The gold had rusted. The silver had tarnished. The muscle had turned to fat. The tables had turned, and the glory was gone.

“All the inhabitants of the coastlands are appalled at you, and the hair of their kings bristles with horror; their faces are convulsed. The merchants among the peoples hiss at you; you have come to a dreadful end and shall be no more forever.’” (27‬:‭35‬-‭36‬)

Please, Lord, help me to love what you love. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Ezekiel, humility, Old Testament, pride, Tyre

Jeremiah 37:13-15

September 29, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“When he was at the Benjamin Gate, a sentry there named Irijah the son of Shelemiah, son of Hananiah, seized Jeremiah the prophet, saying, ‘You are deserting to the Chaldeans.’ And Jeremiah said, ‘It is a lie; I am not deserting to the Chaldeans.’ But Irijah would not listen to him, and seized Jeremiah and brought him to the officials. And the officials were enraged at Jeremiah, and they beat him and imprisoned him in the house of Jonathan the secretary, for it had been made a prison.” (Jeremiah 37:13-15)

Jeremiah was doing the right thing when he was falsely accused and sent to prison. This is a good example of how life can be – even for a believer – in a broken world. (John the Baptist is a New Testament parallel.) Why should I think things should be different for me? I’m not looking to be arrested, but I can’t think I deserve better than Jeremiah.

Father, help me to grow in humility so that I can serve you in a broken world without expectation or complaining. Amen.

Filed Under: devotional thoughts, Faith, humility, Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Old Testament
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