Beloved, our word today is decline–a gradual and continuous loss of strength, numbers, quality, or value. The word decline can be found in the Bible three times. First, much in the Bible teaches us not to become prideful. The most famous scripture:
“Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.” Proverbs 16:8
Testimony
My father was a pastor, and he left me his sermons. I have his Bible, and one can tell that he read his Bible. He was not filled with pride. Dr. Neil Anderson defines humility as confidence adequately placed. Indeed, my father was a man that decreased, and Christ increased. Jesus told the rich young ruler to follow Him and that he had to give up everything, which did not happen.
So what must happen–Jesus must increase, and I must die to self.
- We have to know Jesus as our Savior.
- Daily prayer
- Daily Bible reading
- Daily gratitude
We will naturally decline the things that entice us to stray from God if we daily walk with Jesus.
King David Prayer
Today, let’s look at Psalm 36,
Transgression speaks to the ungodly within [a]his heart;
There is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For [b]it flatters him in his own eyes
Concerning the discovery of his iniquity and the hatred of it.
3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit;
He has ceased to [c]be wise and to do good.
4 He plans wickedness upon his bed;
He sets himself on a path that is not good;
He does not despise evil.
5 Your lovingkindness, O Lord, [d]extends to the heavens,
Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the [e]mountains of God;
Your judgments are like a great deep.
O Lord, You preserve man and beast.
7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
8 They drink their fill of the [f]abundance of Your house;
And You give them to drink of the river of Your delights.
9 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
10 O continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Let not the foot of pride come upon me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the doers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been thrust down and cannot rise.
Beloved, in verse one, King David shares that sin speaks to man’s heart, and the person who does not believe has no fear of God. That person does not see that sin as a decline and a disastrous course, not a good choice. However, if our hearts are set on God’s righteousness, we will be preserved. We will have abundance.
Prayer
Father God,
Create a clean heart, search me, and see if I have any anxiety or worry. Thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Please continue your lovingkindness to those who know you, and do not let the foot of pride come upon me. Let me decrease and allow Jesus to increase. May I serve you today? In Jesus’s name, Amen
What is God asking you to do in response to this blog?
6 Comments
Rebecca Jones
February 12, 2023 at 11:10 amI have realized that no matter how much we minister to others, His ministry is greater.
Diana
February 14, 2023 at 7:10 pmDear Rebecca, I totally agree. Blessings Diana
Jolene
February 12, 2023 at 11:24 amThank you for sharing the scripture, the encouragement, and the prayer. I hope that you have a lovely Sunday.
Diana
February 14, 2023 at 7:12 pmDear Jolene, thank you for reading my blog. Blessings Diana
Jerralea Winn Miller
February 12, 2023 at 3:06 pmYes! I pray all the time that the Lord would create a clean heart in me. I want with everything in me to live for Him.
I started to say because I’m aware of my failings, I don’t struggle with pride, but when you’ve been a Christian for much of your adult life, it is easy to get self-righteous, which is really another form of pride. Father, help me guard against this!
Diana
February 14, 2023 at 7:13 pmDear Jearralea, I have to keep pride in check. Thank you for responding to my blog. Diana