1st July. 2020. Daily Devotion.

On Humility

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘we want you to do for us whatever we ask.’

36 ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ he asked.

37 They replied, ‘Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.’

38 ‘You don’t know what you are asking,’ Jesus said. ‘Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with?’

39 ‘We can,’ they answered.

Jesus said to them, ‘You will drink the cup I drink and be baptised with the baptism I am baptised with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.’

41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ Mark 10:35-45

The world is dominated by pride. People will lie, cheat, steal, and spend their time and their fortune in its service, to buy mammoth houses and unneeded corporate jets for unconscionable prices, to gain power in a corporation or government. It causes divorces and murder. World War 1, where millions died miserably, was largely the result of the egos of a few monarchs.

Christ advises us to avoid pride and seek humility, time after time. He goes even further: “The meek will inherit the earth.” Yet, the lesson is so contrary to nature that even His disciples struggle with it.

Today we see that pride does not miraculously disappear among those who give their lives to Christ. James and John want to sit in the positions of the most honour, at the left and right hand of Christ Himself. The other ten apostles are immediately filled with jealousy. There is a power struggle among the apostles! If pride infects the very apostles, what chance do we have?

But if we live long enough, and pray and examine our motives assiduously, it is impossible not to see the eventual emptiness of vanity; whatever we have that inflates us with pride, we will eventually lose. But it is a daily struggle, for the enemy’s attack is relentless. Humility must be practised every day.

The way to happiness, the way to Christ, is to understand the power of humility and seek it as a prize. Pride is a strong instinct and often reinforced by society. But humility is a treasure; if we try, and pray, we can taste it during our lives.

Prayer for Guidance

Lord, teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain wisdom of heart. Help me do today the things that matter, not to waste the time I have.

The moments I have are precious, Lord, see that I count them dear. Teach me to number my days aright. Fill me this day and all this coming week with your kindness, that I may be glad and rejoice all the days of my life. Through Christ I pray, Amen.

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.

Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right as I surrender to His Will.

That I may be happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next. Amen.

Most merciful, Triune God, we come to you in our weakness. We come to you in our fear, we come to you with trust, for you alone are our hope. We place before you the disease present in our world as we turn to you in our time of need.

Bring wisdom to doctors, give understanding to scientists. Endow caregivers with compassion and generosity. Bring healing to those who are ill, protect those who are most at risk. Give comfort to those who have lost a loved one, welcome those who have died into your eternal home.

Stabilize our communities, unite us in our compassion. Remove all fear from our hearts and fill us with confidence in your care. Through Jesus Christ our Lord in Whom we trust. Amen.

I am deeply sorry to inform you that our member, Mrs Christine Foster, died peacefully at home yesterday morning. Please remember her family as you pray.

Benediction

Now the God of patience and consolation grant to me, and to all who pray in the name of Christ, to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That we may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.