God is greater. Period. - Exodus 10:1-12:13; Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 6:6-11

Pharaoh's officials said to him, "How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the people go, so that they may worship the LORD their God. Do you not yet realize that Egypt is ruined?" – Exodus 10:7

 

Men really do think they’re something. Especially the rulers of men.

 

We all have a tendency to think we’re amazing, that we deserve a lot of good things, that anyone who opposes us deserves to be punished. Even when we’re not on the highest rung of the ladder, we look at those above us as though they should be below us. We eagerly await their downfall so that we can take their place. In short, we think we deserve to be treated like gods.

 

Only God deserves that treatment. But Pharaoh couldn’t admit it. In his pride and rebellion, he preferred to watch his country fall apart—be torn apart, actually—rather than to humble himself before the only true God.

 

We see people—even ourselves—do this kind of thing all the time. We watch an employee refuse to listen to his boss and learn from his mistakes, only to get fired and destroy his career. We watch an employer refuse to receive suggestions from his employees or from customers, denying until it’s too late that his company has any problems. We watch husbands and wives refuse to change until the spouse changes, despite the kindest warnings of friends and family—in the end, they’re divorced and their kids are suffering.

 

But when we refuse to listen to God, we’re being the most foolishly prideful of all. Are we listening to Him today?

 

Father, help me to remain humble before You. I am foolish. You are wise. I am weak. You are powerful. I deserve to serve. You deserve to be served. I deserve to confess Your greatness. You deserve to be called great. Please, when I begin to be prideful—which as You know, happens all the time—remind me again that You are God and that I am merely one of Your many creatures. Remind me to rejoice in You rather than in my own positions or accomplishments. Remind me to rejoice that You love me enough to take care of me and save me from my sins, my weakness, my foolishness, and even my rebellion. You have not held these things against me, so please remind me not to rebel. I do not want to end up like Pharaoh—destroyed. You are greater than I am. It is obvious. I admit it.