SCRIPTURE:
15 “But you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot because of your fame, and you poured out your harlotries on every passer-by who might be willing." Ezekiel 16:15
OBSERVATION:
When things are going great it’s so easy to fall into the trap of “trusting in your own beauty”. Jerusalem was caught for squandering their inheritance and ignoring the covenant. Pride was the root of their decline as they are compared to a girl whom was cared for and nurtured, only to use the beauty bequeathed to her for purposes not of the Lord.
With the epic and exciting basketball games between countries currently happenng in the FIBA World Cup, I can’t help but recall the summer Olympics of 2004 when two basketball titans led the juggernaut US team into what was thought to be a sure Gold Medal. But it didn’t turn out that way. While the US team was stacked, they had the slickest uniforms, the newest shoe technology, the best coaches, they failed to leverage this “beauty” into a Gold medal. In fact, they lost 3 times to lesser teams. While LeBron and Melo were without a doubt two of the best in the world at the time, analyst and experts of the game agreed that they relied too much on their talent, their “beauty” if you will.
APPLICATION:
How many times do I “trust in my beauty” instead of the true beauty? Put my faith in my ability, put my trust in my know-how. Even now, as we journey at times to find the “just the right song” or “just the right setting” or “just the right team”, the challenge is rooted in my reliance on my experience, my expertise, my self. Pride becomes a poison that swiftly infects the true beauty. Yes, the prayers go up, the knees fall down, but is my hope completely set on Him? I know without question that nothing is possible without His anointing, His hand, His power so why would I ever choose to take my eyes, my heart and my intent off the One who makes it all happen anyway.
I refuse to go the route of putting my hope above His or anyone else’s, and I equally despise the thought of success happening without Him. May these go beyond simple words and cement themselves as the character of my heart. When He’s not the foundation and the focus it’s just a good song, just a good speech, just a fleeting moment. But, when reliance and trust is set on His beauty and His fame the promise of his power is eternal and everlasting.
PRAYER:
Jesus, break my pride and rebuild it with a genuine humility that worships You as the source of all blessings. Your unconditional love is the perfect remedy to the poison of my pride so I gratefully pursue Your true beauty. Thank You for loving me so much as to not leave me the way I am. Amen
