Today’s devotion comes from Psalm chapter 49.
“Hear this, all peoples;
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
2 Both low and high,
Rich and poor together.
3 My mouth will speak wisdom,
And the meditation of my heart will be understanding.
4 I will incline my ear to a proverb;
I will express my riddle on the harp.
5 Why should I fear in days of adversity,
When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me,
6 Even those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the abundance of their riches?
7 No man can by any means redeem his brother
Or give to God a ransom for him—
8 For the redemption of his soul is costly,
And he should cease trying forever—
9 That he should live on eternally,
That he should not undergo decay.
10 For he sees that even wise men die;
The stupid and the senseless alike perish
And leave their wealth to others.
11 Their inner thought is that their houses are forever
And their dwelling places to all generations;
They have called their lands after their own names.
12 But man in his pomp will not endure;
He is like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the way of those who are foolish,
And of those after them who approve their words. Selah.
14 As sheep they are appointed for Sheol;
Death shall be their shepherd;
And the upright shall rule over them in the morning,
And their form shall be for Sheol to consume
So that they have no habitation.
15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol,
For He will receive me. Selah.
16 Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich,
When the glory of his house is increased;
17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away;
His glory will not descend after him.
18 Though while he lives he congratulates himself—
And though men praise you when you do well for yourself—
19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers;
They will never see the light.
20 Man in his pomp, yet without understanding,
Is like the beasts that perish.” Psalm chapter 49.
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Today’s Scripture leads us to focus on the importance of humility.
As stated in the introduction to the last devotion, I originally planned for the following devotion to be on Friday, June 19, in order to give additional time to meditate on the prior devotion’s theme of Heaven, but after reading today’s Scripture I think it is better to use any pause of time to focus on both themes of Humility and Heaven together. So, God willing, the next devotion will be Sunday, June 21, 2026.
In further support of meditating on both themes of Humility and Heaven together, and even meditating on Humility first, consider “TULIP”. “TULIP” is an acronym and summary of the Gospel, the Good News of God’s salvation! It is the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, as more fully taught in the Reformed Confession called Canons of Dordt.
“TULIP” humbly starts by first teaching the “Total Depravity” of man, the “T” of “TULIP”. We were “dead” in sin. Ephesians 2:1-5. We were hostile to God. Romans 8:7 and Colossians 1:21. We were in bondage to sin. Romans 7:14-15.
“10 as it is written,
“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” Romans 3:10-12.
Only after this point of “Total Depravity” is fully taught does “TULIP” proceed to the next point of “Unconditional Election”, the “U” of “TULIP” which is the basis of salvation, that we are saved by God’s choice, not by our choice nor by our works. If we truly understand “Total Depravity”, then it is easier to believe that our only chance for salvation was God’s “Unconditional Election”. If man is truly dead in sin, then man can not produce the works, nor even as little as the will, to merit salvation, and all glory goes to God for our salvation.
“For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” Romans 9:15-16. In other words, salvation does not depend on our works, nor even as little as our will. God saves whom He wants.
“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.
The rest of the points of “TULIP” are “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”, the “L”, “I”, and “P” of “TULIP”. Here is a direct link to the Headnote of my web site titled “TULIP a/k/a Gospel” – https://reformeddoctrine.com/tulip/
Consider the following verses on humility.
“But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.” James 4:6.
“The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom,
And before honor comes humility.” Proverbs 15:33.
“Before destruction the heart of man is haughty,
But humility goes before honor.” Proverbs 18:12.
“The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD
Are riches, honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4.
“He leads the humble in justice,
And He teaches the humble His way.” Proverbs 25:9.
“For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11.
“The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:11-14.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7.
“Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
Let those who love Your salvation say continually,
“The LORD be magnified!” Verse 16.
“My soul will make its boast in the LORD;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.” Psalm 34:2.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 