Session 24

Pride: a fatal flaw

From 2 Samuel: A 5-Week Devotional

In 2 Samuel 17, Absalom tries to steal the throne from his father. Hushai, one of David’s confidants, pretends to be on Team Absalom in order to help David escape. Hushai predicted great glory for Absalom if he led the troops into battle, but instead, Absalom dies a pretty embarrassing death. 

Absalom’s pride ultimately destroyed him. Pride caused Absalom to believe he would be a better king than the Lord’s anointed. Pride in the size of his army and his ability to outsmart David’s men led Absalom to agree to lead the troops into battle. 

But instead of glory, Absalom’s hair got stuck in a tree and his horse kept walking, leaving him dangling until David’s men found him and killed him (2 Samuel 18:9-10, 2 Samuel 18:14-15). 

Although pride might feel like strength in the moment, it is a dangerous weakness that always leads to destruction.

Proverbs 16:18 teaches that pride always comes before a fall. Although pride might feel like strength in the moment, it is a dangerous weakness that always leads to destruction. That’s why God warns us about pride and instructs us to flee from it. 

When God asks us to surrender our lives and circumstances to Him, it’s not because He is power-hungry. God is stronger, wiser, and way more qualified to handle the problems life throws at us. The more we try to take things into our own hands, the more we stumble. 

But the more we bring our problems and decisions to the Lord and listen to His instruction, the more we experience His blessing in our lives. God promises to bless humility, and He never fails to keep His promises.

Reflect:

• Is there an area of your life where you lack humility? 
• What would it take for you to surrender this area to God?