More Lessons in Humility

Scripture:
Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
    an outsider, and not your own lips.

Proverbs 27:1-2

Observation: This proverb is very clear ... don't brag and speak of your own qualities and achievements. Do not have pride in your future, or praise yourself and your potential. It is better to let others have positive opinions of you based on your qualities and actions, without you having to tell them how good you are.

Application: Never again will I boast of myself in order to advance my future. I have promoted myself. Just because it wasn't wrong or evil, that doesn't mean it was wise. It is always better if others think well of me, much more than if I think well of myself anyway.

I am an old man with so much more to learn. I will never be the man I could have been, but I can always be a better man than I am. The eight years I walked away from God - and the attitudes and issues that arose in my life as a result - have stymied my maturity for my entire life. However, I can grow. This proverb represents one of those opportunities. I have no need to think of my future and promote myself in order to achieve any goal. I can simply be the best man I can be every day, and the Lord will order my steps from there.

Prayer: Lord, you have taught me so much, yet you know there are times I am still immature and fault-riddled. I thank you for your patience in continuing to guide me, teach me, instruct me, correct me, and aid me. I ask for your Holy Spirit to refill me daily, so I may better walk humbly with you, my Lord and father. Amen.