He looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. (Ps. 138:6)
THE ARGENTINE ANT is an aggressive species that is spreading throughout North America and destroying other ant populations. These ants invade an area and wage war like a military unit. They employ battle tactics like sending their weaker warriors to the front lines to be killed off first, using the element of surprise to overwhelm the enemy, and marching together like a Roman legion. A victorious Argentine ant might feel pretty good about its military might—until a four-year-old girl comes along and steps on it! Comparing an ant to an ant is one thing. Comparing an ant to the power of a human being is another.
We do not find humility by looking in the mirror. Nor do we find it by comparing ourselves to other people. It is only when we take a good look up at God that we can accurately see ourselves as we are. We are right-sized in His presence. This breeds humility. This is different from a false sense of self-deprecation. It is a sober view of ourselves in comparison to the mysterious Creator of all the universe. God looks upon our pride like a person looking down on a puffed-up warrior ant. While the ant’s misjudgment might be amusing to us, our pride can be a barrier in our relationship with God.
Write down three attributes of God that are infinitely superior to ours, and praise Him.
Jarod Osborne is the lead pastor of Warsaw Wesleyan Church. He is also the author of Jaded Faith (WPH).
© 2017 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
