01/07/2022
When everything is going remarkably well in our lives it is easy to become proud, and to walk arrogantly in the world, so we are taught to be humble, and when life is beating us down, and Satan is attacking us at every turn, we can become distressed, and depressed, so we are taught to stand tall, and lean on God. The challenge is not to simply be humble, or to stand only in our strength, it is to know when it is appropriate for us to display one, or the other. The goal is to be neither defeated by our pride, nor destroyed by the suffering that life is handing us. Our faith teaches us to find a gentle and productive place in Christ where we can be like Him; avoiding arrogance, while experiencing strength, and standing firm in the midst of our humility.
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:12-13 ESV
We are strong when God is with us, and we are humble when we abide in Jesus. We are the perfect mix of humility and power that confounds Satan, and raises us up in our faith. In this way we are able to do the will of God to perfection. Is this where we find ourselves today?
“A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.”
Proverbs 11:1-2 ESV
Learning to be humbled without being broken, or given great things without losing sight of the fact that we can do nothing without God, is the challenge we face, and the lesson Paul speaks of to the Philippians in our opening scripture. Loving and teaching people in the strength of our faith, while kneeling before them, and washing their feet. It seems like a contradiction, but it is not. Just as it is with us, so it is with others… God desires to lead all of us to that place where we understand what it means to be humbled, without being totally broken. He teaches us that our body can suffer, and break, even as our faith is gaining in strength. Listen to the words of Jesus as He teaches us this same lesson during the first communion… His body is broken, but in His blood He is spiritually complete.
“And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
Luke 22:19-20 ESV
L.B. Cowman expounds on this subject when he writes…
“People who are God’s without reservation “have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” His will becomes their will, and they desire to do for Him whatever He desires them to do. They strip themselves of everything, and in their nakedness find everything restored a hundredfold.” - L.B. Cowman - Streams in the Desert
So have we become content in what life brings us? Have we found the secret of this contentment to be in Jesus Christ? Have we received the reward of amazing faith for humbling ourselves? Have we been blessed, not for weakness, but for the strength our humility gives us? Are we walking as Jesus did in this world? I pray that it is so.
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
Philippians 4:11 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for teaching us the real power and strength of faith, for showing us that in humility we will lead better lives, and that our faith will continue to grow. Help us Lord to overcome the pride and arrogance of lives lived with plenty, and to avoid the distress and depression that being humbled, and humiliated in the world can bring. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who was not diminished when You allowed your Son to suffer Roman spit, beating, and the nails of crucifixion. Praised be your name for each time the world treats us like Jesus, and we are able to remain strong in our faith, and humility. Have mercy on those who belittle us Father, because they can’t see how the mistreatment they impart to us leaves such deep scars on them. Help us to forgive our enemies, and to pray for their souls. Help us to demonstrate to them the power of humility, and the amazing impact it has on our faith, and ability to love our neighbors. Let your grace abound in us Father, and let if flow from us, just as it does through Christ; without regard for our own comfort… only our obedience to your will. Call us your children, and declare us worthy in Jesus to sit eternally at your feet. Let us be made perfect in humility, love, and obedience as we give ourselves without reservation to you.
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.””
1 Peter 3:8-12 ESV
Rich Forbes