Reminded this morning that the OT prophets weren’t sent just to warn unfaithful Israel of wrath to come but some of their ungodly neighbors as well. While these weren’t nations in rebellion to an irrevocable covenant spoken by a holy God to them, they were people willfully rejecting the internal compass placed by a holy God within them.

For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness . . .

(Romans 2:14-15a ESV)

And it’s Jeremiah’s pronouncement of judgment on Moab that captures my attention this morning.

For, because you trusted in your works and your treasures . . . We have heard of the pride of Moab — he is very proud — of his loftiness, his pride, and his arrogance, and the haughtiness of his heart . . . Moab shall be destroyed and be no longer a people, because he magnified himself against the LORD.

(Jeremiah 48:7a, 29, 42 ESV)

Underlined each of these verses with my black colored pencil — it’s what I do to take note of sins to beware of. And I look back, hover over the black on the page, and there seems to be a progression here. Trusting in their treasures, pandering their pride, magnifying themselves against the Almighty. Relying on their works, abounding in arrogance, exalting themselves above the Eternal. Might be something to take heed of for someone living in a nation and surrounded by a culture known for its great works and abundant treasures.

Self-sufficiency and pride have a way of going hand-in-hand, I think. Unchecked pride has a way of trying to dethrone God, I think. Danger, danger, danger!

A wealthy people, it seems to me, need to be extra careful to be a humble people. To have need of little, is to be tempted to esteem self too much.

Honestly, that’s where a daily does of truth and reality from the Scriptures can be really helpful. Reminding me of the flesh within me that wants to trust in itself and awakes every morning at war with the indwelling Spirit who says walk by Me (Gal. 5:16-17). Reminding me pride is unbecoming, not to mention inconsistent, for one who claims to follow a Master who “humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Php. 2:8). That, unwittingly or not, becoming a glory-grabber may not be the smartest thing to do before a God who has declared, “I am the LORD; that is My name; My glory I give to no other” (Isa. 42:8).

Nope. Don’t want to be a magnifier against God. Don’t want pride to find a place to reproduce. Need to be careful about trusting in my works and my treasures.

Only by His grace. Only for His glory.