The Humble and The Proud

     Trails of destruction often lead back to pride. We see it in the news. A celebrity thinks he or she is above the law. The world places others on a pedestal and they begin to believe the adulation. It began with pride in the garden of Eden. Lucifer’s fall from heaven began when he wanted to be like God.

     It is no wonder God hates pride. The Bible makes it clear. It is on the top of the list of the things God hates. Pride goes before a fall and the humble will be lifted up. Coming close to the cross brings us to our knees. The Creator, the Lord of Lords, humbled Himself to be a servant to all and to die for us. Humility before God and before others is exactly what God desires for us. He brings us down to lift us up.

You save the humble, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. 2 Samuel 22:28

“Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord. “These are the ones I look on with favor; those who are humble and contrite in Spirit and who tremble at my word.” Isaiah 66:2

You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. Psalm 16:27

     Humbling ourselves before Jesus, allows Him to work in our hearts, to see others as His children, to show His mercy to others, just as He has shown it to us. Our natural thoughts and desires want to criticize and judge others so we can feel a little better about ourselves. Without Jesus we are all lost. He does bring down the proud, but He is always there ready to lift us up.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

Humble yourselves, therefore, under god’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.  1 Peter 5:6

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  Matthew 23:12

     If you are feeling unappreciated or unnoticed, if you are raising your amazing children with little thanks or doing a kindness for someone you really don’t even like, expecting nothing in return, if you are devoting your quiet life to prayer for others, or sitting rhough long days at work to provide for your family, God is lifting you up right now. He delights in you. God was well-pleased with His Son when He gave Himself up for us. It is only with Him we can keep a gentle and humble heart.

Dear Lord,

Work in our hearts to come humbly before You, and You will lift us up. That is all You ask, that we look to You. Lead us to put others first even when it doesn’t feel right, even when no one notices. You do.

In Jesus name

Amen