Pride finds ways to serve self, but humility chooses to trust God and wait for His timing.

Now afterward David arose and went out of the cave and called after Saul, saying, “My lord the king!” And when Saul looked behind him, David bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself. David said to Saul, “Why do you listen to the words of men, saying, `Behold, David seeks to harm you’? “Behold, this day your eyes have seen that the LORD had given you today into my hand in the cave, and some said to kill you, but my eye had pity on you; and I said, `I will not stretch out my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’S anointed.’ “Now, my father, see! Indeed, see the edge of your robe in my hand! For in that I cut off the edge of your robe and did not kill you, know and perceive that there is no evil or rebellion in my hands, and I have not sinned against you, though you are lying in wait for my life to take it. “May the LORD judge between you and me, and may the LORD avenge me on you; but my hand shall not be against you. 1 Samuel 24:8-12

Pride causes us to believe that we can manage life on our own. The first two kings of Israel—Saul and David—illustrate different approaches to handling pride.

Saul’s high opinion of himself resulted in decisions contrary to God’s commands. For example, having defeated the Amalekites, the king reasoned that he should take some spoils of war, even though God had said to destroy all the enemy’s belongings—including animals (1 Samuel 15:3). When confronted by Samuel, Saul replied that he’d spared the animals so he could “sacrifice [them] to the Lord” (1 Samuel 15:15). God saw through his words to a heart of pride. When self-centeredness controls our thinking, we’ll seek ways around divine commands in order to serve ourselves. If caught, we may try to justify our disobedience, just as Saul did.

David—Israel’s second king, chosen while Saul was still on the throne—didn’t try to initiate his own reign. Instead, he waited for God’s timing. That meant enduring Saul’s jealous rages and murder attempts without retaliating. In fact, even when he had the opportunity, David refused to seize the throne; he didn’t allow pride to dominate his thinking.

Is there any self-exaltation in your life? If so, spend some time with the Lord today and ask Him to help you grow in humility.