November 13, 2017
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Humble Yourselves
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because he cares for you.”
Have you ever prayed for someone who has hurt someone you love?
Recently, I had the privilege to pray for someone who really hurt a member of my family. Hearing the story of what had happened momentarily made me very angry. The truth is, most would be angry at what had occurred, yet the love of God bathed my mind to pray for this individual since the wickedness was out of ignorance. In humility, truth was spoken. By faith, my family member stood firm in Christ, acting according to His will regardless of the cost. Embarrassment and the fear of being labeled did not deter her behavior from displaying the power of God that onlookers witnessed. Obedience was a choice she made. And, because God does not lie, he lifted her up in His time. I have had the privilege to witness the power of God, so my own eyes will be open to Him.
Verse 6 sets the stage for the unfolding of any situation. “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand that he may lift you up in due time.” In adversity we face hurtful words and actions. Our pride is confronted and we have a choice to dig in our heels and not budge or open ourselves in humility and be guided no matter the cost. Sometimes, the cost is being embarrassed, being put in our place, losing something such as a job or relationship, or just waiting.
When we submit to the authority of Christ and recognize that only in His power we will fully be able to manage a situation, will we have peace. Verse 7 states, “Cast all your anxieties on Him because he cares for you." When wronged, our tendency is to focus and label the individual by the evil committed. Humility places them before ourselves and awakens us to the goodness of Jesus. Our faith, to act according to His will, provides the riches of Him which fills our being.
No matter what the problem or whatever confronts you, Jesus stands with the door wide open for us to step through on the path of His will. In obedience, we learn and become powerful witnesses of our Lord Jesus.
Tenderly in Jesus,
