Session 2

Is humility worth it?

From 2 Chronicles: A 28-Day Devotional

Many of us know the tale of the tortoise and the hare. The hare, sure of his win, takes a break from the race to rest. He wakes up to find that the tortoise, who had run slow and steady keeping his eyes on the goal, was about to cross the finish line. Victory belonged to the tortoise. It’s easy to see the hare’s pride and the tortoise’s humility in this story, but how easy is it to see those characteristics in our own lives?

King Uzziah is a man who was both the tortoise and the hare. When he was humble and seeking God, he saw victory in battle, a flourishing economy, a growing ministry, and fame. “His fame spread far and wide, for he was greatly helped until he became powerful. But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall” (2 Chronicles 26:15-16).

In his pride, Uzziah wanted spiritual authority in addition to his political authority. He attempted to burn incense in the Lord’s temple — a job only the priests were allowed to do. When the priests confronted him, he became angry until the Lord afflicted him with leprosy. Uzziah died years later, remembered for his pride, not his humility.

When we’re humble, we ask for help and work with others. When we’re prideful, we want control and get angry when things don’t go our way. Humility focuses on Jesus while pride focuses on ourselves. Who do you see in the mirror — a tortoise or a hare?

Reflect:

• Think of one time when you acted in humility, and one time you acted out of pride? What was the result of each?
• What is one way that you are acting out of pride in your life now?
• What is one step you can take today to remove that pride and act in humility?