Tuesday, March 11
Read: Psalm 17; Zechariah 3:1-10; 2 Peter 2:4-21
A Little Humility Goes a Long Way
“If you try my heart, if you visit me by night, if you test me, you will find no wickedness in me; my mouth does not transgress. As for what others do, by the word of your lips, I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.” (Psalm 17:3-5, NRSVue)
Time alone with God can be comforting and challenging. In my quiet time, God expects me to open myself, allowing God to evaluate my heart, test my motivations, and examine my thoughts. Overall, I think I’m pretty decent, and I wouldn’t be surprised to discover you feel the same about yourself. Still, like the Psalmist in the passage above, I’ve had times when my fear and insecurity have left me feeling defensive about my convictions and commitment. My insecurity gets in the way, convincing me that I’m spiritually superior to others—especially those who see things differently than I do.
I recall one night tossing and turning because I couldn’t quiet my mind after a contentious committee meeting. I was at odds with a church leader, a dear friend and mentor, about whether we should proceed with a much-needed capital campaign. I was convinced the church was spiritually ready; however, she thought we needed more time to develop the faith of our members before asking the congregation for more money. In the restlessness of that night, God’s gentle prompting pointed out how my self-righteousness was clouded by pride—and even more by fear. I previously had publicly spoken about the need to proceed with a capital campaign and feared that backtracking would undermine my leadership. God named the pride and fear in those reckoning hours and challenged me to submit to his timing and leadership. I had to admit I was wrong. My friend was right. It hurt, but it was for the best.
The beauty of Psalm 17 lies not in the Psalmist’s self-proclaimed righteousness but in the willingness to allow God to examine his life. While the writer speaks of his clean lips and steady path, we know that he had moments of failure like all of us. His saving grace was maintaining an active, vital relationship with God, characterized by humility, vulnerability, and honest communication.
When we clothe ourselves in humility, something remarkable happens. Instead of seeing others as opponents, we recognize them as fellow travelers on life’s journey. True humility doesn’t mean denying when others wrong us, but it does mean approaching conflict with the awareness that we, too, are imperfect vessels. Ultimately, it’s not about whether we win; it’s about discovering God’s will and fulfilling it together.
When surrendered to God, the ashes of our pride become the fertile soil that nurtures spiritual growth. In my ministry, I’ve learned that the moments I’m most certain of my superiority are often the moments I most need to pause and examine my heart.
Prayer:
Lord, examine our hearts as you examined the Psalmist’s heart. Help us to see others through your eyes of grace, recognizing that we all need your mercy. Transform the ashes of our pride into the fertile soil of your love. In humility, may we submit to your perfect will. Amen.
The Reverend Dale R. Cohen is Senior Pastor at the First United Methodist Church of Florence, Alabama and serves on the Huntingdon College Board of Trustees.
