The Proud Will Be Made Small | Morning Routine Daily Devotional for December 30

Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be utterly despised. The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, “Who will bring me down to the ground?” Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord. – Obadiah 2-4 ESV

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, with a mere 21 verses. It tells of a vision from the Lord, detailing the eventual downfall of the country of Edom, which descends from Jacob’s brother Esau (Genesis 25). Edom and Israel consistently had conflicts with one another, just like their ancestors Esau and Jacob. Obadiah’s prophecy is delivered after Israel was taken captive by the Babylonians, who received assistance from the Edomites.

In today’s passage, the Lord says that He will make Edom small among the nations. Their pride was their downfall. The Lord says of Edom, “[You] say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there will I bring you down, declares the Lord.” Edom would in fact be brought down by another nation. And the Lord always prevails against the proud. As James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Scripture warns that “Pride comes before the fall.” In light of today’s passage, ask the Lord to show you any area of your life where pride might be present. (Let’s get rid of it before the fall!) Sometimes we struggle with pride in our areas of strength—perhaps things we’re good at in the home or workplace. Other times, we are proud in areas of weakness, grasping onto a belief that we are really better than we are. The remedy, in either case, is to view ourselves as God views us, recognizing our value comes from Him. Therefore, learn to live in dependence upon Him and be grateful for the gifts He has given us.