There is an arrogance gene in every human, and the only way it manifests is the level of exposure to frightening or lethal situations we are exposed to…
As much as I do want to be humble, polite and not arrogant in certain life scenarios, I still cannot but boast about the God I serve. I think it has a lot to do with my past experiences and some positions I have found myself which did warrant these boastful and aggressive reactions about my God and the faith I have in Him – You are free to coin any name, vocabulary for it, or tag it anyhow. At some points in my journey of faith, I have been confronted with extremely fierce occurrences and situations, which I cannot really give a vivid description of what effects they had created on my person, but all I can describe is the deep effects they have created on my reactions and responses to certain situations and how these have then contributed to my absolute dependence on Jesus, the only supreme being, who has the capacity to deliver from every unwanted situation.
When the three Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were confronted with the dilemma of being thrown into the seven-times-hot fiery furnace, they became arrogant and sounded rude in their response to the king. Due to their faith in God, they were not able to bow down and worship an idol, as commanded by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon.
“Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up? Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?”
(Daniel 3:14-15)
Holy Arrogance Tendencies
There is an arrogance gene in every human, and the only way it manifests is the level of exposure to frightening or lethal situations we are exposed to. In the book of Daniel, when the going was good, working in the Babylonian Government as senior officers, there was no reason for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego to display their arrogance in front of the king, but when the horrible situation arose, and the existence of their God was questioned, the beast inside of them was let loose.
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
(Daniel 3:16-18).
As much as we can, we are to hold unto the profession of our faith in tribulations with trials, and rejoice in them all with confidence, and the fullness of the reward shall be delivered unto us in the end…
Don’t Lose Your Confidence!
I have then arrived at a conclusion that there is therefore a positive side to persecutions, tribulations and trials in life. They actually expose and manifest the hidden gene of the natural aggressiveness in fighting against any antagonising figures, which could question our faith in the Almighty God. As much as we can, we are to hold unto the profession of our faith in tribulations with trials, and rejoice in them all with confidence and the fullness of the reward shall be delivered unto us in the end. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.” (Hebrews 10:35).
Welcome to the Month of November!