The children are memorizing Deuteronomy 9:6 this week. It's a very convicting verse: "Know, therefore, that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stubborn people."
Oh, that word "stubborn"! I know I'm stubborn, although I'd like to spin it into "persistent." Nevertheless, it's enough to make me stop and consider myself. What is it that God has given to me? He has blessed me with a great family: a wonderful husband and intelligent children. He has blessed me with a beautiful, comfortable home. I have plenty to eat, good health, and more blessings that I can count. It's tempting to think that I've gotten all that I've deserved. I've been obedient to God. I've been a good person. But that word "stubborn" pulls me up short. I know I'm stubborn. And I know that God has blessed me, not because I deserve it, not because I'm so good, not because I've been obedient to Him, but because He is so good. He is so merciful. He is gracious and long-suffering. He has given me so much to show to the world how much He can do with so little. It's for His glory.
It's a good reminder. The next time I'm tempted to look at someone else and either condemn them or praise them, I need to stop and consider that I have escaped condemnation for my sins, not that I should be praised, but that He should be praised. No more of the pot calling the kettle black.