Readings for Pentecost 14

Prov. 25:2-10     

Heb. 13:1-17      

Luke 14:1-14

Passage for Meditation:  “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11  

Devotion: There were two professional athletes who played on the same team.  But when it came to their attitudes about their abilities, the two couldn’t have been any more different.  During a pregame interview, one went on about how he was going to dominate the opposition and carry the team through this championship game.  The other was more realistic about his role on the team and their chances of victory. 

The interviews concluded, the game was played and over.  Much to the fans surprise, the team did dominate their opposition.  But it wasn’t because of the boastful player.  He was injured the first play of the game and was benched.  The humble player played as he had always played along with the rest of the team- they gave it all they had. 

The team accepted their trophy and the interviews resumed.  The injured player was heard across the country saying how it was amazing that the team could have  pulled off this victory without him, while the other player thanked the team for their efforts, hard work and dedication.

Needless to say, the press and fans alike blasted the proud player, and his popularity plummeted until he was traded away, then only to win next year’s championship and eventually go on to be honored in the Hall of Fame.  While at the same time, the other player grew in popularity of his fans and team, but went on to be a distant memory in the minds of sports fans. 

At least that’s how it goes sometimes in the world of professional sports and in the eyes of men. 

But never in the eyes of God.  Those who boast in their own abilities to dominate the enemies of their own sin, their flesh and even Satan are slapped down hard.  Those by contrast who openly, humbly confess before the Lord that their efforts are never enough, but who take refuge in the domination of the enemies by Jesus  are the ones who are exalted and remembered in eyes of God and at the Hall of Fame of Faith. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10