The Humility of Conviction - Job 42:1-6
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INTRODUCTION
Man’s viewpoint of himself always becomes more realistic once confronted by the presence of the Holy One. Job was, by all standards, a good man, yet the presence of God caused him to abhor himself "and repent in dust and ashes." Conviction always magnifies the greatness of God and reminds man of just how vile he is. Ezra’s conviction was described as heaviness (Ezra 9:5And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,
See All...) which caused him to rend his garment. That conviction humbled Ezra to the point where he said, "I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens" (Ezra 9:6And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.
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DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
- (For smaller children) Peter thought he knew more about fishing than the Lord. He soon became convicted (Luke 5:4-8 [4] Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.
[5] And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
[6] And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
[7] And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
[8] When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.
See All...). King Ahab's judgment against his house was delayed because conviction brought humility (1 Kings 21:27-29 [27] And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly. [28] And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, [29] Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: but in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.
See All...). Even the best of men realize their sinful condition in God's presence (Isaiah 6:1-5 [1] In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. [2] Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. [3] And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. [4] And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. [5] Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.
See All...; Daniel 10:5-8 [5] Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: [6] His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. [7] And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. [8] Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.
See All...). - How does conviction work to rid you of pride? How does it cause you to magnify the greatness of God and regret your own wickedness?
- When is the last time you truly felt the conviction of the Lord? What was your response to this conviction? Did it give you a more realistic viewpoint of yourself?
PRAYER NEEDS
- Ask the Lord to help you see who you truly are.
- Thank God for loving you enough to deal with you.
HYMN
Amazing Grace
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