Posted on 03/13/2018 6:47:36 PM PDT by metmom
“Walk . . . with all humility” (Ephesians 4:1-2).
The more we comprehend the greatness of God, the more humble we will become.
God is not given proper respect today. He is often flippantly referred to as “the man upstairs”—more of a buddy than the eternal God. Many see Him as nothing more than a cosmic Santa Claus or an absent-minded grandfather who winks at sin.
Unfortunately, even Christians can be affected by these views. Such sin dishonors God and undermines the next step to humility: God-awareness. Instead of getting our ideas of God from the world, let’s look at what the biblical writers say about Him.
David said, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Thy name in all the earth, who hast displayed Thy splendor above the heavens!” (Ps. 8:1). As he contemplated the exalted position of God, it was only natural for him to say, “What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?” (v. 4). We are so minuscule by comparison, it’s a wonder He cares for us at all. But “though the Lord is exalted, yet He regards the lowly” (Ps. 138:6).
Isaiah 2:10 says, “Enter the rock and hide in the dust from the terror of the Lord and from the splendor of His majesty.” When you compare yourself with God, you’ll want to hide under a rock. Verse 11 gives the crux of the issue: “The proud look of man will be abased, and the loftiness of man will be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day.” Pride is the sin of competing with God. It lifts self up and attempts to steal glory from Him. But God says, “My glory I will not give to another” (Isa. 48:11). God will judge those who exalt themselves. God alone is worthy of exaltation.
As you seek humility, remember that you won’t obtain it by sitting in a corner wishing for it. Rather, you’ll gain humility by sitting in that same corner and reciting before God your sins, failures, and inadequacies, then opening the Scriptures and seeing God in all His majesty.
Suggestions for Prayer
Pray that you would see God for who He really is, not how the world sees Him.
For Further Study
Read Job 38—41. What aspects of His greatness does God emphasize to Job? Make a list of the most prominent ones.
Studying God’s Word ping
Thank you for this ministry sister; greatly enjoy your posts!
May our Creator bless you each day!
What is Man, that Thou Art mindful of him?
To me, this is the quintessential existential declaration. “Why should I be special? WHO AM I ???”
It helped me learn tremendously. I highly recommend it to all new Christians or those who want to learn more about our precious Lord and Savior
It is available in paper backs which are very inexpensive and also per Kindle.
Hope I don’t get in trouble for posting this several times, but I am a new Christian, and I’m just happy and want to spread the word about our precious Lord and Savior
I cringe when I hear people call the God of all creation, the “man upstairs”, or the “big guy” or use the phrase “since Jesus was a corporal”. They have no idea of the attributes of God.
Welcome to God’s family!
Katy
“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of the Lord, that you may be exalted at the proper time.” 1 Peter something!
I’m not one to memorize verses, but I did this one after I had graduated college and was looking for work. I mentioned it to my old man once, and he wrote it on the back of an envelope.
We found it in his wallet about 6 years later, a few days after he had died. In that time span I HAD found a job, moved half-way across the country, and ended up in a small town. I don’t know about “exalted” - but I did meet my wife there in the country church - that’s been 30+ years ago. The day my dad died was the day I bought the engagement ring.
Thank you!
Wonderful music to our ears!! Thank you Father for snatching Katy out of the darkness and transferring her to the Kingdom of you Son, as you did with all your people!!
Wow . . . right between the eyes. Thank you.
thank you
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