"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you" - Romans 12:3 (NIV).
A funny thing happened the other day. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, heads of state from all over the world where invited to attend the state funeral, barring just a few. One of the conditions was that the vast majority, except a trifle few, had to travel by bus coach to church. And do you know what, a number decided to shun the event, sending just junior representatives instead. Used to having streets to themselves with mile long caravans, this was too much to imagine.
Now just before Queen Elizabeth II was lowered down her burial place, all the vistages of power- the Imperial Crown of royal authority, orb and sceptre- were removed from her coffin. The minister, David Conner, Dean of St George's chapel, then commited her to the ground saying, "Go forth upon thy journey from this world, O Christian soul.”
In life the Queen might have reigned with castles but here now she was going without anything. For as it is written, "All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again" (Ecclesiastes 3:20).
Now you know what, while some of us are so fixated with the possessions we have amassed here on earth, and those glittering titles for some; yet in the end we all take nothing beyond but our souls. This is why as our verse today warns us, we should not think of ourselves more highly than we ought. Even if we hang on to our seats of power, in the end we are all the same - nothing but fragile mortals made of clay, who one day will stand naked without any trappings of power, before the Almighty God!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, you who reminds us in your word that "naked I come; naked I return to thee" teach us to be humble all our lives, for we came with nothing and shall take nothing, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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20/04/2024 - 21/04/2024 All day“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor 16:13)
Tourists who happen to visit Bukingham palace will be expected to notice the King’s royal guards. Dressed in colorful often red uniforms and adorning tall black helmets they stand on guard and no one dare cross them. Elsewhere in life we find guards in all manner of places quite firm on deterring any intruder wherever they may be.
For us Believers being on constant guard is a calling we must permanently observe. And why? Once in the course of his work, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mathew 16:23). Peter had just protested that he would not deny Jesus only to be sported out!
There is something for us to note here. Satan had penetrated the ranks of Jesus and was going through his closest disciple. It is clear that Peter was not even aware that he was being used. Anyway, he found his target, Jesus, was on guard. Immediately Satan was sent packing.
No Believer is immune to attacks from Satan. After all when once the Lord asked Satan his whereabouts: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it” (Job 1:7). Clearly the guy is out there 24/7 looking for whom to devour. “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have warned us to be on “guard” help me ever to be on the watch out for the attacks of the enemy and with your word rebuke Satan, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
