11/20/2019
When we see ourselves as strong, mighty, and self-sufficient then we are foolish, but when we consider ourselves as small, and humble before God, then we are wise indeed. How do we view ourselves, and conduct our affairs? Do we spend our time gathering sustenance from God’s Word, seeking safety and protection in His shadow, walking obediently in the way of righteousness, and completing our day by humbly worshiping before the Father’s feet?
“Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs; the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; the lizard you can take in your hands, yet it is in kings' palaces.”
Proverbs 30:24-28 ESV
From our humility comes God’s grace, because by becoming humble in our nature we are images of Jesus, and we know that it is through Him that, even though we don’t deserve it, we receive grace.
“But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.”
Ephesians 4:7 ESV
Throughout scripture we are told to be humble before God, and not to be haughty or mistakenly absorbed in our own worthiness. We are told that we can’t serve two masters, and that is true. We know many of those other masters by names such as money, gluttony, and pride, and they are worldly masters and as such they are the minions of Satan. This is who we are ultimately being warned against, and we are not alone in our struggle...
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
1 Peter 5:6-9 ESV
So we should consider ourselves small. We should gather jewels of wisdom from God’s Word like the ants that store up food in summer. We should hide ourselves beneath the shield of God much as the rock badger hides himself in the cliffs. We should be obedient to our faith like the locust who follows an invisible calling, and we should pass unassumingly into the courtyards of God’s temple to worship, much like the lizards who enter the king’s gardens. In these ways we are not only humble, but wise, and we will be rewarded with grace.
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."”
James 4:6 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Son Jesus Christ, and His humble nature. Thank you for the example that He sets for us in this regard, and the grace that flows through Him when we conform ourselves to Him, and follow His teaching. Thank you also Father for the small and humble earthly creatures that your Word presents us as images of how humility will bring us closer to you, and allow you to provide for us, give us strength, increase our faith, and make us wise. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God before whom we prostrate ourselves in worship. Great are you who delivers us from evil, and leads us not in temptation. We praise your name Father, and lift you up as our one and only master. We give you all reverence, and all glory! By your Son Jesus, and the grace that flows through Him we are redeemed, and humble ourselves in worship before you forevermore.
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”
Romans 12:16 ESV
Rich Forbes