James Tillis, a Boxer, Discovered That Arrogance Does Not Pay

James Tillis was an aspiring boxer from Oklahoma. When he got off the bus in Chicago, he paused in front of Sears Tower, amazed at its height. Putting down his suitcase, he looked up saying proudly and boastfully in his heart “I’m going to conquer Chicago.” But when he looked down his suitcase was gone. He quickly discovered that arrogance does not always pay. The psalmist did not show such pride as he reflected on his circumstances before God. Rather, from the pit of despair, he wrote in Psalm 130, “Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer. LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness that we might learn to fear you. I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.” Followers of Christ who desire to grow in faith know they must admit their shortcomings to God. They have the assurance that our gracious Heavenly Father is eager to forgive us when we humbly approach Him on the merits of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. People who are humble and poor in spirit will always find acceptance from our Holy God.