Sermon Central
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God Opposes The Proud At Mt. St. Helens
Contributed by Bret Toman on Oct 31, 2012 (message contributor)
GOD OPPOSES THE PROUD AT MT. ST. HELENS
In the spring of 1980, the mountain showed signs of awakening. There were earthquakes. There was volcanic activity. Residents were told to leave the area. But Harry Truman would have nothing to do with that. He believed the danger was exaggerated "I don't have any idea whether it will blow[...] But I don't believe it to the point that I'm going to pack up." He responded to being knocked from his bed by the earthquakes by moving his mattress to his basement. Truman discarded all of the concerns about the volcano, "This area is heavily timbered, Spirit Lake is in between me and the mountain, and the mountain is a mile away, the mountain ain't gonna hurt me... boy."
He became something of a celebrity for his defiance, but on May 18th Mount St. Helens blew. A pyroclastic flow engulfed the Spirit Lake area, destroying the lake and burying the site of his lodge under 150 feet (46 m) of volcanic landslide debris.
He wouldn’t admit he needed help. He couldn’t fathom that some people knew more than he did about the mountain. He relied on his own understanding. 1 Peter 5:5 and James 4:6 in quoting Proverbs 3:34 both say "God opposes the proud."
Are you stuck spiritually? The same sins get you over and over. Your love for Jesus is in a holding pattern. Anxiety is wearing you out. The abundant life Jesus came to bring is not your reality.
What do you need? You need grace. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. We need grace, but how do we get grace? God gives grace to the humble.
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