See The Signs

Jesus is alive. He rose from the grave and prepared the way for us to dwell with God and for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. 

“Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord…The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. He was the one who defeated ten thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt and captured Sela in battle…Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoash…king of Israel, with the challenge…You have indeed defeated Edom and now you are arrogant. Glory in your victory, but stay at home! Why ask for trouble and cause your own downfall…Amaziah, however, would not listen, so Jehoash king of Israel attacked. Jehoash king of Israel captured Amaziah king of Judah” 2 Kings‬ 14:1-13

It is fascinating to be able to sum up a person’s life in a paragraph or two. Even more so when it is a prominent person like Amaziah who served as king of Judah. Ultimately, he was remembered by whether he followed the Lord, the work he did, the battles he fought, and the pride that led to his fall. Ask yourself if your story was written today, what would fill the paragraph? 

Amaziah was doing well. He was following God and he won a few fights. The victories clearly got to his head. Pastor Mark Batterson says anything you don’t turn into praise turns into pride and pride makes people fall. How would you measure your own humility? Have any of your successes caused you to separate from others or sin? Do your victories point others to the One who gave you victory? 

“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalms‬ 27:1-14

There is a big difference between confidence and arrogance. David was confident, but his confidence did not create in him an arrogant heart. His trust was in God. The song of David beautifully articulates exactly how we can live in a way that honors God when we have success and while we are still waiting for answered prayers. Can you see how he held loosely his wins and losses? 

His heart's desire was to make the presence of God. He did not need more stuff or more of people saying how great he was, he simply wanted more of time with his Savior. He said the Lord is my light and salvation.  David gave us the secret of how to be steadfast and have a song of joy for every season. Seek God above everything else. 

Do you want to know how to get off the roller coaster of popular culture? Do you want to know how to get away from the ups and downs of an emotionally draining life? Learn to walk in the ways of God and trust Him. There is tension between wanting things your way and living like Jesus. 

Every one of us is being shaped into the likeness of Jesus until we take our last breath. That is why humility is so important. There is more God wants to do in and through you. Pride has a devastating effect on our lives and our spiritual growth. It inflates ego and opens the door for the enemy. It separates close friends and creates offense. How is pride impacting your heart? What keeps you from putting God first in every area of your life? 

Timing matters.  David said wait on the Lord.  How often do we feel the need to rush ahead to make sure we get our own way? How often do our preferences keep us from putting Jesus first in how we speak, act, and love? Pride says hurry but Paul said love is patient. Patience demonstrates a heart that trusts in the Holy One. Where or with whom do you need to be more patient? 

“A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin. The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord…victory rests with the Lord.” Proverbs‬ 21:2-31

As we continue walking the road to life, wisdom reminds us of the importance of staying humble. Wisdom tells us that just because you think you’re right does not mean that you are.  God says do what is right; then you will find joy because you will be doing my work and nothing can stop my will. Jesus came to help those in need. As followers of Jesus, we would do well to heed Solomon's reminder that there are people who are experiencing the pain of poverty that we can help. Where do you start? Do for the one you can help what you wish you could do for everyone. 

The scripture connections warning against pride continue in this passage. Amaziah was arrogant and lost all he had. Solomon said haughty eyes and arrogance lead to sin. Solomon said you can either pursue a life of pride and pleasure or you can pursue God, but you cannot do both. The irony is anything apart from pursuing God like David desires leads to death. True victory is only found through Jesus.  He is the way, the truth, and the life. How could remembering where this road of life leads help shape how you live for Jesus today? 

“Do not learn the ways of the nations…For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they are taught by worthless wooden idols. But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. Everyone is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. The images he makes are a fraud; they have no breath in them. They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish. He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these, for he is the Maker of all things…the Lord Almighty is his name…Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps. Discipline me, Lord, but only in due measure” Jeremiah‬ 10: 2-24

God speaks through Jeremiah with a simple message. Follow my ways and not the ways of the world.  There could not be a more relevant message for those of us who live in this information age.  What do you see in the world around you? What news are you hearing? What are others saying? We live in a world that often is not living or loving like Jesus. 

God calls us to a life of devotion to Him. He says do not worship created things, worship Me, the Creator of all things. Think about how this relates to what you desire. Think about how many of us want more money, more comfort, nicer things, and how we allow comparison and pride to take up space in our hearts that is meant for God. We all have idols. We might not call them that, but if they have a place in our hearts, they are taking away from where God wants to dwell.  

Ask God to reveal to you anything that is not from Him. Ask Him what you have worshiped or where pride has impacted you. There is no condemnation in those who are in Christ, conviction is a gift that helps free us from things that keep us from the fullness of God’s presence dwelling in our hearts. 

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. He is not here; he has risen!…Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.” Luke 24: 1-53

It always has been and always will be all about Jesus. He is the one by which all of our calendars are calculated and the Christ. Everything in these passages points to Jesus. Amaziah’s pride, David’s love for God, Solomon’s wisdom, Jeremiah’s humility, and the empty tomb all lead us to declare Jesus is alive. This is cause for celebration! 

Jesus is the true King who came to wash feet and do God’s will. He never became proud when He was praised. He humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross so that we could be forgiven and filled with His Spirit. Victory was not won by our strength but by His sacrifice. What kind of love dies for the ones who called out for Him to be crucified. Our Savior shows us what real humility looks like. We get mad when someone cuts us off in traffic or curses us.  For the joy of the cross He let rusty nails be driven through His body. Maybe we need more of His humility. 

If we want to follow Jesus, then we should walk the same road He walked. He told us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily, and follow Him. Pride tells us to live for ourselves and insist on our own way. Jesus invites us to surrender and wait on the Lord. Who can you serve today and why do you need to surrender? 

Jesus is the One every page has been pointing toward from the very beginning. Let His humility become the hallmark of how you are remembered by waiting on the Holy Spirit. Let the victory on the cross become your confidence, and let His presence become your life’s pursuit. As you choose Jesus, you will find joy unspeakable and peace unimaginable. You will find eternal life. All signs point to Jesus as He is the key to a life of victory.