Choosing a Seat I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High. Isaiah 14:14 Recommended Reading Luke 14:7-11 Weve all seen it -- and perhaps been guilty of it: The doors open at a concert venue and everyone makes a dash for the front row seats. Or the doors open for a department store sale and the shoppers shove and push each other in order to get first dibs on the merchandise. Our fleshly nature tempts us to put ourselves above others or seek a position or place for ourselves instead of allowing others to have it. Satan, as Gods angelic, highly-anointed minister, made the mistake of seeking a place reserved for God alone. In five different ways -- I will ... -- he expressed his desire to be like the Most High (Isaiah 14:13-14). He wanted to exalt himself from his rightful place to a place equal with God Himself. Interestingly, Jesus related a parable with the antidote to pride of place. When attending a banquet, He said, take the lowest seat. Its better to be invited to move up than to be told to move down for being in someone elses place (Luke 14:7-11). That was a lesson Satan failed to learn, but one we can take to heart. Humility seeks to advance others rather than advancing self. But the promise is, we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Other sins are against Gods law, but pride is against Gods sovereignty. Thomas Manton Read-Thru-the-Bible Judges 14-16
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:24:58 +0000
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