In 1876 the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians wiped out Lt. Colonel George Custer and the 7^th Cavalry were at the Battle of Little Big Horn.

Lt. Colonel Custer was known as a prideful man. Some have written that in addition to being conceited, he also found it difficult to take anyone’s advice. His way was always best, so he thought. Thus, as he and his troops were pursuing the Indians, he advanced much more quickly than he had been ordered, and neared what he thought was a large Indian village on the morning. On the verge of what he thought would be a certain and glorious victory for both the United States and himself, Custer ordered an immediate attack on the village. Thinking that the Indians wouldn’t be much of a threat, he split his forces into three parts to ensure that fewer Indians would escape. The attack was one the greatest fiascos of the United States Army, as thousands of Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho warriors forced Custer’s unit back onto a long, dusty ridge, surrounded them, and killed all 210 of them. He and his entire force died that day because of his pride.

Today’s verse says that “pride goes before destruction.” That’s true in all areas of life, not just war. For example, take the student who thinks he or she “knows it all” and doesn’t study for the big test; the athlete who thinks that he or she is better than anyone else and doesn’t work our; or the business owner who believes customers will keep coming to the store no matter how they are treated. You can imagine the failures, the “destructions,” that will come to each one.

How’s your pride these days? Romans 12:3 says “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment” (NIV). Having self-confidence is one thing. But thinking you know it all is quite another. We need to be humble, listening carefully to others’ suggestions and advice.

Don’t let pride trip you up.

Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18)

To Do

Today, ask God to show you where you have been prideful. And do you best to listen carefully to others. You don’t have to take all their advice, but you can accept it with respect.

Also on this day . . .

This is Strawberry Parfait Day (do you know what a “parfait” is?).

1950—The Korean War begins.

1951—The first color TV transmissions were presented on CBS, even though the public did not own color TV’s at the time.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005).