One of the things I was shocked at while visiting Paris was just how big the Arc de Triomph is. Napoleon had it built to commemorate the victories of the French army. It was inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome. The names of over 600 generals are inscribed on it. The arch is placed where twelve avenues meet. You can’t miss this symbol of victory and pride if you’re ever in Paris. The French are not alone though. Mankind has been building things like the arch to symbolize their power and victory for generations.
In 2 Samuel 24, there is a story about David taking a census. God wasn’t happy with him for doing it and sent word through the prophet Gad. The Lord offered him a choice for his punishment and he chose the shortest one, but also the only one God was involved in. After 3 days of plagues striking the land and killing 70,000 people, the angel of destruction was near Jerusalem at the threshing floor of Araunah. David purchased the land, built an altar and repented. It was in that exact spot that the Temple was built. It’s a reminder that God builds great things from our places of humility rather than our pride. What once was a place of brokenness became the place of restoration.
James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor” (NLT). Our world is bent on trying to build things that showcase our strength, but God looks to build our humility. When we understand how much we need Him, we provide a place in our lives for Him to dwell. Our pride wants to do everything on its own, but God calls us to draw closer to Him with purified hearts. Paul celebrated the places in his life where he was weak so the sufficient grace of God could be displayed and that the power of Christ could work through him (2 Corinthians 12:9). If you want to experience more of God in your life, build an altar out of humility and brokenness. You will find that God dwells and moves where hearts are humbled.
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Devotions by Chris Hendrix 