I’ve got some simple homework for you today. Here’s your assignment:

Think of a time in your life that really shook you. What kind of loss were you potentially facing? Was it job, career, health, reputation, status, safety? Was it financial, material, or relational in nature?

Got your answer?

I certainly have my fair share of options to choose from! My menu is loaded.

Moments in life that shake us are meant to straighten us up and give us pause. They make us evaluate life. They make us evaluate ourselves.

All the implications surrounding the 2020 coronavirus pandemic could be our latest example. It sure has shaken the ground on which we stand.

1 Timothy 6:17 helps us evaluate life and lays down two commands to get us living on solid ground. Stand on this great coaching with me:

ELIMINATE ARROGANCE: Of all the things we produce, arrogance must be taken off the assembly line.

It operates dangerously close to so many of the things we love to build (achievement, acquisitions, comfort, control, intellect, wealth, and more). It loves to be their teammate and too often is.

It deceives us, leading us to think we are safer and more secure than we really are. So God commands us to not let arrogance get attached to our present “wealth.” Our arrogance, more than our wealth, will set us up for a big fall, and we will surely be shaken.

DIRECT HOPE: While we want to FIND hope in tough situations, God commands us to PUT hope first. He wants us to move it away from our wealth and place it in Him.

He reminds us that wealth is “so uncertain,” a bad place to invest our hope. And He teaches us that hope is best found in a Person, not a circumstance.

His capstone instruction really is this: Put your hope in Me (Jesus). I richly provide you with everything for your enjoyment. Stick with Me, stand on Me, and you’ll never be shaken.

Reflect: Push through the following questions and take an action step or two:

Has arrogance been building in your life? How much hope have you been putting in your wealth, your possessions? Ask God to free you from any deception here. What specific hope are you putting in God?

Memorize this Scripture gem: “I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8).

A prayer to consider: O, LORD, chase away the subtle arrogance that breeds in me, that attaches itself to my giftings and all my “stuff.” Don’t let my apparent wealth deceive me.

I put my hope in You alone. You are my Rock and my Redeemer, come what may. With You at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Accomplish this in my life by your Spirit. I pray this in Christ’s name, Amen.