AUGUST 6, Psalms 101:5b

John is a smart boy. Not only is he eloquent but he also has a good memory. Every year he excels in school and emerges among the top in his class. However, John has a weakness: bragging. What is bragging? Bragging is talking too proudly about oneself, one’s possessions, etc. Another word for bragging is boasting. You can imagine John is not a popular boy in school for he goes around telling people how clever he is, what good memory he has… Because John is a braggart, no one in his class wants to be his friend.

As the mid-year examinations draws near, teachers encourage the pupils to work hard. True to his conceited self, John proclaims he will do well again. When the exam timetable is given out, John takes a copy home and chucks it aside without looking at it.

Days and weeks go by, John still feels very confident. Although he occasionally revises his studies, he is easily distracted, does not focus and so does not know his work well. When the exams are a week away, his parents ask how he is coping with the revision and he tells his parents that he is doing just fine! However, when he realises he has lost his timetable, he starts to panic and is no longer as cool as a cucumber. Now he starts to worry that he may fail his exams. He confesses his sin to God for being a braggart. And you know what? Shortly after, John finds his lost timetable!

Actually, children like to boast and you see them doing this all the time and everywhere. Dear child, are you a braggart? What do you boast about? Never brag if you are the best student in class, or in school, or even in the whole of Singapore. Never brag about what post your father holds in his company and that he has friends in high places. Never boast that you have the latest television set in your home, or that your mum has bought you the latest video game console like the PSP, Nintendo DS, X-Box, etc.. Talking proudly of yourself or your possessions is displeasing to God who detests one who has a high look and a proud heart.

Thought: Are you guilty of bragging?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me that I should not be proud and brag. I have bragged before, please forgive me. This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen