In That Day

Somewhere in my early training in the knowledge of the Scriptures, I formed some very wrong ideas about the second coming of Christ. Foremost among those wrong assumptions was that Revelation is the only book in the Bible which tells about what God has in store for the future. To my surprise I learned that information about the coming Day of the Lord is also located in the Old Testament. Isaiah prophesies about times that are still future to us. Isaiah 2:2 starts with the words “In the last days.” The phrase “in that day” is used forty-three times in the NIV translation of the book of Isaiah. Many of those phrases are in prophesies which are still future to us. I have chosen to reference today’s verses from translations other than NIV to emphasize the points recorded in Isaiah 2.

“Human pride will be brought down, and human arrogance will be humbled. Only the Lord will be exalted on that day of judgment.” Isaiah 2:11 New Living Translation

“For the Lord of hosts will have a day of reckoning against everyone who is proud and lofty and against everyone who is lifted up, that he may be abased. Isaiah 2:12 NASU

“The swelled big heads will be punctured bladders, the pretentious egos brought down to earth, Leaving God alone at front-and-center on the Day we're talking about.” Isaiah 2:17 THE MESSAGE

So pride, arrogance, self-direction, and self-reliance will be definitively punished by God. Therefore, I must ask myself how pride is prevalent in my life. Because I am good at rationalizing my behaviors and attitudes, this is no easy or quick task. Pride is sneaky and difficult to recognize in myself. It often presents itself in my treatment of others. Do I treat all people with dignity and respect? Am I willing to help those who are ignored or abused by others? Do I think my ideas are better than the plans of others?

Self-reliance is another area which I must carefully search out in my life. Yes, I too often just proceed with my plans because I know they are “right and workable.” Of course this is a wrong attitude. But self-reliance is very insidious. It permeates my ideas of success and material possessions. It is tied closely to my attitude of happiness being related to what I own and what I have achieved. This is wrong thinking. True happiness and joy come only from reliance on God and unselfishly serving him.

So we will be judged for our sins of pride and idolatrous materialism.

Lord, show me the pride in my life and give me the strength to remove it. Remove my idolatrous attitudes about material possessions and achievement.