INTRODUCTION

The Bible plainly and repeatedly warns believers not to put their trust in men. In addition to this truth, men are not to trust in themselves. As today's passage shows, sometimes God allows circumstances to come into our lives in order to teach us not to trust in ourselves. If any mere mortal could stake a claim to self-trust, it would have been the apostle Paul. He was “circumcised the eighth day,” “an Hebrew of the Hebrews,” and “a Pharisee” (Philippians 3:5Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.
See All...). In spite of this, Paul knew these attributes were not sufficient to trust for eternal life. In fact, he counted these things but dung, that he may win Christ (Philippians 3:8Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?
See All...). If Paul understood that he could not put his trust in himself or his accomplishments, everyone else should realize that his or her ability or merits are not worthy of trust.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Read Matthew 26:31-34 [31] Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. [32] But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. [33] Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. [34] Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
  See All.... Peter trusted in himself that he would never say he didn’t know the Lord. He failed miserably. Cain trusted in himself that he was giving the Lord the correct offering. The Lord refused his offering (Genesis 4:5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
  See All...). We should always trust in the Lord and believe and do what He says (Proverbs 3:5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): What are some areas of life where you might not put your trust in others, but you would quickly put your trust in yourself? How is one just as wicked as the other?
• In whom did the Pharisees trust (Luke 18:9And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
  See All...)? Why did they begin to trust in themselves? Of what did they lose sight in order to begin trusting in themselves?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to guard you against trusting in yourself.
• Ask the Lord to help you to be conscious of your trust.

HYMN

Trusting Jesus

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