WORD OF THE WEEK - PROUD - 10-26-25

Definition:  A feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions: having, proceeding from, or showing a high opinion of one's own dignity, importance, or superiority.
Scriptures: 

1 Samuel 2:3“Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.
Proverbs 16:18 - “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.”
1 Peter 5:5 - “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

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Website: www.wow-newton.com
Email:  osnewton@wow-newton.com

Transcript

Definition:  A feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions: having, proceeding from, or showing a high opinion of one's own dignity, importance, or superiority.
Scriptures: 

1 Samuel 2:3“Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.
Proverbs 16:18 - “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.”
1 Peter 5:5 - “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
THOUGHT
During the morning devotional at school,  we sang  “My Country Tis of Thee” and recited the Pledge of Allegiance before bowing our heads to pray “The Lord’s Prayer”.   In the 1950’s it was not against the law to pray in school, nor was it considered idolatrous  to offer allegiance to a national symbol. 
Children were taught to be proud of America. From comic books to radio, movies, and television, the message was clear: we were the good guys. In the 1950’s, the children of America, were taught to be “proud” of our country.  Yet those same stories often painted Russians, Japanese, and Chinese people as threats, and portrayed Indigenous Americans as less than equal. The white male was shown as the dominant figure in the home, at work and in politics, while white women as his partner were the example of modesty, virtue and Christian values. 
But World War II changed that narrative.
After winning World War II,  nationalism grew, not from propaganda, but from shared sacrifice. In the trenches, factories and the farms, no matter your culture or color, collectively;”“We Won the War.”  Our shared experience made it important to be as “proud of who I am” as to be “proud to be an American”. 
Scripture teaches us that “pride goeth before a fall, and a haughty spirit before destruction.”  (Proverbs 16:18.) In every generation, pride has threatened to corrupt us.
Our national pride could easily have led to our national destruction but for the fact that our pride in America has always been tempered by our love of God.  The acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty in the governance of our politics and in our legal and judicial systems has protected this fragile system of government.
With fists raised, multi-colored flags and placards demanding equality; people of every color, culture and gender have fought to gain full access to the American dream. When we exalted God as the source of our strength, this country not only endured, but flourished. Faith in God’s sovereignty has kept our democracy alive.
The final verse of My Country, ’Tis of Thee captures this truth:
 Our fathers' God, to Thee,Author of liberty.To Thee we singLong may our land be bright,with freedom's holy light,Protect us by Thy might : Great God, our King. 
Until recently, America has been the world’s example of a country striving to reflect the spirit of a loving and just God, whose laws reflected every human being’s right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  But once again, we are at a crossroads.
While the new message of national pride and patriotism is dressed in religious rhetoric, it is bejeweled with protectionism, isolationism and retribution.  Laws of fairness and justice are being ignored. And many who once sang “God is King” now question His authority and His justice.
Can we defeat the ill-effects of sinful pride, or will America fall: not from enemies abroad, but from arrogance within?
The decision rests on each of us.
Let us pray:Dear Father,Long may our land be bright,With freedom's holy light,Lord, Protect us by Thy mightGreat God, our King.