Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 30: HUMILITY”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.
Humility…Let God Lift you up!
What was your experience?
You know, the one where you thought for sure you would be recognized, receive a promotion, or receive an award…and you didn’t.
You know, the one where you spoke with confidence of yourself and what you were going to do, only to find that someone could do it better.
Humbling.
What was your experience?
You know, the one where you were surprised by a recognition, raise, or promotion?
You know, the one where you were given a spot on the team, a contract, even if you weren’t the best player.
It’s humbling when we self-promote and end up not being recognized.
It’s exalting when others promote you because of your humble Spirit.
Jesus taught:
Luke 14:7 When he noticed how they were selecting the places of honor, he told the invited guests a parable. 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline in the place of honor, or perhaps someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him. 9 The one who invited both of you may come and tell you, ‘Give this man your place.’ Then you will begin, with shame, to take the lowest place.
10 “But when you are invited, go and recline in the lowest place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he will tell you, ‘Friend, move up to a higher place.’ Then you will have honor in the presence of all who are reclining at the table with you.
11 “Yes, everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
Like so many truths of Scripture, this too is counter intuitive. Like having to hit a golf ball with the club as it is on the down part of the swing makes the ball go up instead of hitting the ball as the club is going up will make the ball go down. One might think that I have to self-promote, self-gloat, self-preserve to get recognized, move up in the world, or achieve anything. The opposite is true. One who moves through the world with a humble mindset and spirit, will be recognized, respected, and entrusted with more.
James says in 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Live in humility. Wait for the Lord to lift you up…you won’t have to do it yourself.
Apply: What area of life do you struggle to be humble instead of self-promotion?
Prayer: Lord, we ask for your Spirit to instill and keep in us a spirit of humility before you and before others. Help us to trust that as we have a spirit of humility, you will in your time and way lift us up. AMEN.