Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our Reading titled Pride and Deception was written by Karen Huang.

Loving God, thank you for your gentle, nudging correction. With my shoulders slumped, I murmured those

difficult words. I've been so arrogant thinking I could do it all on my own. For months, I'd been

enjoying successful work projects, and the accolades lulled me into trusting my capabilities and rejecting God's leading.

It took a challenging project for me to realize I wasn't as smart as I thought.

My proud heart had deceived me into believing I didn't need God's help.

In Obadiah, Chapter 1, the powerful kingdom of Edom received discipline from God for its pride.

Edom was located amid mountainous terrain, making her seemingly invulnerable to enemies.

Edom was also a wealthy nation, situated at the center of strategic trade routes and rich in copper,

a highly valued commodity in the ancient world. It was full of good things, yet also full of

pride. Its citizens believed their kingdom was invincible, even as they oppressed God's people.

But God used the prophet Obadiah to tell them of His judgment. Nations would rise up against Edom, and the once powerful kingdom would be

defenseless and humiliated. Pride deceives us into thinking we can live life on our terms without God.

It makes us feel invulnerable to authority, correction, and weakness.

But God calls us to humble ourselves before him.

As we turn from our pride and choose repentance, God will guide us toward

total trust in Him. Today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading is from the

Book of Obadiah, verses 1 through 4.

This is what the sovereign Lord says about Edom.

We have heard a message from the Lord.

An envoy was sent to the nations to say,

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