THE PATHETIC PRACTICE OF SELF-PITY

April 21, 2021

THE PATHETIC PRACTICE OF SELF-PITY

There’s nothing that looks worse on us. Like a coat that is too small on a large man, self-pity makes us look more diminutive than a God-created man should be. It makes us a caricature of God’s highest creation.

POOR OLD SAUL

Saul had been anointed King of Israel by God. But in the ensuing days, his character flaws showed he was unfit for the task. The Lord proclaimed that He would tear the kingdom away from him and give it to another. At a shepherd’s humble tent, God found a youngest son who was a man after His own heart. David was anointed to be the next King.

When Saul realized his loss, he did not respond with repentance. He became jealous of David and began to try to destroy him in every way possible.

When he chases David like a dog, Saul’s true feelings erupt because the mouth always speaks of what fills the heart.

“For all of you have conspired against me so that there is no one who discloses to me when my son makes a covenant with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you who is sorry for me or discloses to me that my son has stirred up my servant against me to lie in ambush, as it is this day.” (1 Samuel 22:8)

A SMALL MAN

You can almost see Saul, stuck in a corner, saying, “There is none of you who is sorry for me!” The mighty ruler has been reduced to a small-minded, self-focused whiner. He would live the rest of these days until his untimely death in this sad, spiritual condition.

SPIRITUAL-INSPECTION

This demeaning attitude comes from the root of pride. We think we deserve more. We want everyone to know of our worth, and when we don’t get the attention and honor we feel we deserve, we whine away.

The wise man has other men around him who will tell him the truth when they see him shriveling into self-pity. We should continue to ask God to show us our hearts and respond quickly and humbly when He does.

Don’t whine. God made you for more.

Father, forgive my pride that makes me think I deserve more. Remind me that I deserve nothing except eternal separation from You because of my sin. Humble me, Lord, and deliver me from the sin of self-pity. Let me be larger as I embrace Your sovereignty over my life. Help me realize that everything I have is a gift from You. Let me be a David, not a Saul.

 





Also in Graceful Truth

REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 15)
REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 15)

March 15, 2023

This is the heart of revival, both personal and corporate. Revival intimates two things have occurred: a drifting and a return. We have wandered from Christ. Our hearts have become cold and lifeless. To be revived is to be brought back to that which is life itself. It’s not a return to a program or a discipline. It is to fall in love with Jesus all over again. It is a repentance unto Him.

Continue Reading

REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 14)
REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 14)

March 10, 2023

Is prayer a nice thing to do? Something we resort to when we are in a serious situation? A word to describe one of the disciplines of the Christian life? Secondary, but not really all that essential? Something we do as a segue between songs on a Sunday morning? Or is it the essence? The foundation? The fragrance that is to pervade everything for the serious follower of Jesus? The ultimate pathway to communion with God and the source of life and power for all we are and do?

Continue Reading

REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 13)
REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 13)

March 09, 2023

Why should we pray fervently for the blessing of a nationwide or worldwide spiritual awakening? Why should we unite (as Jonathan Edwards said) in “explicit agreement and visible union among God’s people in extraordinary prayer for a revival of religion and the advancement of Christ’s kingdom on earth?” Why should we seek to cooperate together and not tear apart the beginnings of His awakening in our nation?

Continue Reading