Today is November 1 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.   
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from the book of Isaiah, chapter 14.  
 
      12 How you have fallen from heaven,  
         morning star, son of the dawn!  
         You have been cast down to the earth,  
         you who once laid low the nations!  
      13 You said in your heart,  
         “I will ascend to the heavens;  
         I will raise my throne  
         above the stars of God;  
         I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,  
         on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.  
      14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;  
         I will make myself like the Most High.”  
      15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,  
         to the depths of the pit. 
    
This prophetic scripture describes the fall of Lucifer – which itself means ‘morning star’ or ‘bright star’. Let’s consider something simple in what might feel like a confusing passage. Isaiah is prophesying about the final fall of Satan, and Isaiah describes to Satan the attitude of “wanting to ascend, to be like God…” in other words, he wants to grasp equality with God. And for that, He is brought down to the realm of the dead. Let me remind you of the nature of God Himself… who as Christ… ‘humbled himself, taking on the very nature of a slave…’ Think about that juxtaposition for a few moments.  
  
Jesus is God, takes on flesh and DECENDS … humbling himself to death on a cross. And then He is raised up. Lucifer desires the opposite: to ASCEND and to be like God. He is proud. And then He is brought down. Listen to the scripture again and contemplate these things…  

As you end your time of prayer, talk with the Lord about what this passage, or these reflections, have brought to your mind. What does it mean for you to follow the way of Christ? Where might you feel tempted by the sin of pride?  
 
Music: "Humble King" - Vineyard Worship 
Humble King (feat. Tina Colón Williams)