Apr 11th – Deuteronomy 15, Deuteronomy 16:1-20 Luke 13:31-35, Luke 14:1-14 Psalm 44:1-12

Luke 14:7-11

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honour at the table, he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honour, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honoured in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Jesus noticed how people rushed for the best seats. People rushed for the place of honour.

Why? Because they all thought they were the ones who deserved it. They all thought a lot of themselves – and were of the opinion, “if anyone should be sitting there, then it should be me”.

Be careful of thinking too much of yourself – because you’ll end up disappointed.

We should seek an attitude of humility – not of expectation that we somehow deserve more than others. First Jesus is telling us, it’s far better for someone to invite us up that ask us to move… but also we should be very careful not to exalt ourselves above others. If we think too much of ourselves… we’ve not looked at ourselves properly.

Ps 44:6-7

I put no trust in my bow,

my sword does not bring me victory;

but you give us victory over our enemies,

you put our adversaries to shame.

What do you place your trust in? It’s easy to trust the things we can see, to take security in the tools we use or the skills we have.

But none of those things are what gives us victory. It is only through God. He is the one that wins every fight. He is the one that we need to turn to in times of trouble.

A bow and a sword are important to a solider. But we’d be foolish to think these are the things that bring us victory. Don’t put your trust in things you’ve made – but only put your trust in The Lord.