Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7
There are four points here, and, I believe, they are connected.
Humble Yourselves
Peter (and the rest of the New Testament) has quite a lot to say about humbling ourselves:
1 Peter 3:1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands . . .7 Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives . . . 8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing . . .
1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” . . .
At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you . . . . Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:3, 10-16
25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. Luke 22:25-27
I used to think that God’s gifts were on shelves one above another and the taller we grow, the easier we can reach them. Now, I find, that God’s gifts are on shelves one beneath another and the lower we stoop, the more we get. F. B. Meyer
This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:2
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13
AUGUSTINE of HIPPO-considered one of the greatest thinkers in human history. His influence on philosophy and the Christian faith is still felt today . . .
"Should you ask me what is the first thing in religion, I should reply, ’The first, second, and third thing therein.... nay all, is humility." Augustine of Hippo
If I were asked to identify the greatest spiritual gifts and the best virtues for ministry, I would say the first is love. Second, and closely allied to it, is humility. I believe humility is the greatest of virtues (next to love) because it is through humility that so many other things fall into place. Our attitude of humility is the basis of the beginning of our relationship with God-without repentance it is impossible to please and serve God. It is the foundation upon which all obedience to God’s will is built. And it is the salve that heals and nurtures godly relationships. Humility is sunrise on the Day of Christian maturity.
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:1-17
Is it not obvious, then, that the reason why we have to be humble in order to walk with God is not merely because God is so big and we are so little -- but because God is so humble?
Myron Loss
That He May Lift You
8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:8-11
The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12
JONATHAN EDWARDS (from Wikipedia)
[was] almost ascetic in his eagerness to live earnestly and soberly, to waste no time, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking. On February 15, 1727, Edwards was ordained minister at Northampton . . . He was a scholar-pastor, not a visiting pastor, his rule being 13 hours of study a day. . .
He was one of the most famous and influential theologians and philosophers of his day. His sermon “sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is still revered as a classic of the faith and is read by thousands of pastors around the world. He was acknowledged in his day as one of the greatest academics of his time-with interest in both philosophy and science. And yet, he did not advocate any intellect, or diligence, or science, or philosophy as the best means of having a victorious Christian life. Instead he extolled humility as the means of victory.
"The best defense that anyone can have against the wiles of the devil is a humble heart": "Nothing sets a person so much out of Satan’s reach as humility." Humility is a great protection against falling headlong into Satan’s trap. Besides, it is hard to fall down when you are already prostrate before God. Jonathan Edwards
"The beginning of greatness is to be little, the increase of greatness is to be less, and the perfection of greatness is to be nothing." D.L. Moody
Cast All Your Cares
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28
My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant. His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
Psalm 55:20-22
There are some people, some Christians, for whom every act of friendship is a means of manipulation. When we interact with such people we will soon find reasons for stress. . . but it is God who cares for us.
For He Cares for You
-WILLIAM WILBERFORCE
In proportion as a Christian grows in grace, so he must grow in humility. Humility is indeed the principle first and last of Christianity. By this principle it lives and thrives. As humility grows or declines, so Christianity must flourish or decay.
Humility first disposes the sinner to have deep self-humiliation to accept the offers of the gospel. During the whole of his progress, this is the very ground and basis of his feelings and conduct --in relation to God, to his fellow man, and to himself. When at length God translates him into the realms of glory, this principle shall subsist in undiminished force: he "shall fall down and cast his crown before the Lamb, and ascribe blessing, and honor and glory, and power to Him that sitteth upon the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever" (Revelation 4:10, 5:13). William Wilberforce
-The Upside-Down Pyramid
I don’t know who made the observation first, so I cannot give credit for where this idea is from. It isn’t mine. Someone said that in the corporate world there are many flow-charts, including those which indicate the flow of authority. They almost always look something like a pyramid, with the CXO or Board at the top, presidents at the next level, Vice presidents next (more of them), various levels of Managers (still a larger group) and the largest group-the people that seem to do the majority of the work-the workers at the bottom. If you want to succeed you have to “climb up the corporate ladder” to get to the top. You may have to step on a lot of toes and noses to get to the position of greatest power, authority, influence, money, and fame.
But in the Kingdom of God, the pyramid is turned upside down. The greater you become the more you lift up others, the more you support. The greatest must climb down the ladder and support the greatest weight.
If you want to meet Jesus, you won’t find him at the pinnacle of earthly successes; you have to climb down to the Cornerstone-Jesus is always at the bottom of things, holding everyone else up.
