John Stanko

“'Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,' says the Lord Almighty. 'Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name,  the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves'" - Malachi 4:1-2.

It is possible to live a life full of pride or to restrict pride to certain areas, like finances, professional accomplishments, or relationships. No matter the frequency, amount, or application, today's verse states that there is a day of reckoning for every proud person. Yet there is a promise for the un-proud or humble person in the next verse, for those who revere God's name will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. Leaders must especially guard against pride, for they have access to money and power that can make them smug and confident in their own intellectual and leadership skills. When they cross the line to pride, God can and will become personally involved to humble and even humiliate them.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to read Daniel 4 and see what happened when Nebuchadnezzar refused to humble himself and acknowledge God. Note that the king had a dream about a tree and today's verse refers to roots and branches - God literally fulfilled the promise He made in Malachi 4:1. After reading, ask God to show you any area of life where you are proud and quickly humble yourself, remembering that God will do it for you if you refuse.