Daily Devotional – Saturday, October 8, 2022
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 15:33 (NIV)
There are many ways to get to the top in academic, career, professional and material spheres. Many people prefer shortcuts instead of processes.
A lazy student uses dubious means to pass tests. To climb the career and professional ladder fast, some people malign the characters of colleagues they consider threats. Some businesspeople also resort to threats, intimidation and underhand deals to get rid of their competitors.
Joseph’s Painful Path to the Pinnacle
In contrast, the Bible demonstrates that reaching the top requires hard work, grit and determination. Joseph, the son of Jacob, is a good example. Egyptians who did not know his story may have thought he was very lucky to become Chief Minister.
We know, however, that the journey to the top for Joseph was one of pain, humiliation, numerous defeats and hard work. The milestones in Joseph’s life included a dark pit, slavery and jail. Who would have predicted that a Hebrew slave and prisoner would preside over the mighty Egyptians?
The Humbling Journey to the Top
King Solomon summarized Joseph’s experience by stating, “Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 15:33). There can be no honour before humility. The more God humbles us, the more He will elevate us.
Whenever we experience pain and frustrations in our journey to the top, we can choose to give up, take shortcuts, or be patient and climb the ladder rung after rung. It is only by persevering through the process and remaining faithful to Jesus that we can genuinely become the best in whatever we do.
Prayer
Almighty God, as I seek to reach the top in all spheres of my life, teach me to appreciate the struggle and pain, and remain humble, because humility comes before honour.
