Bible Reading: Proverbs 16:1-19
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“Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom” (Proverbs 13:10)
King Rooster was a handsome fellow. His red-brown plumage glistened in the morning sunlight, and his flaming comb crowned a bobbing head. His gold-rimmed eyes peered intensely this way and that as he strutted about his enclosure. His crowing dominated the peaceful morning. He was the finest rooster in his little universe.
The next moment a door opened, and a woman carrying chicken feed stepped into his space. Puffing his feathers, King Rooster immediately attacked the intruder. Wise in the ways of roosters, the woman fended him off and filled his feeder, but his attack reminded her of the succulent taste of fried chicken. She left the enclosure, and King Rooster pecked hungrily at the food, unaware that his cocky actions had shortened his life expectancy.
Here are some lessons we can learn from King Rooster:
- Self-importance hinders our usefulness for God.
- Any attractiveness or ability we have is given by God for His glory and is no credit to us.
- The universe is much larger than our little world.
- Crowing disturbs the peace.
- We are not nearly as important or indispensable as we may think.
- We should not attack others.
- Those we view as a threat may be trying to help us.
- Pride brings unrest and trouble.
- Ill-considered actions may shorten our life of service for God.
Our feet are for serving, not strutting. Our hearts are for pondering, not puffing. Our heads are for bowing, not bobbing. A wise old minister used to say, “It’s always a good time to be humble.”
O Master, let me walk with thee
In lowly paths of service free.
—Washington Gladd
From Paws on My Porch, by Gary Miller
© 2015 TGS International, PO Box 355, Berlin, Ohio 44610
Used by permission
