Humble.. that is not an easy word for many of us. I have always considered myself a pretty humble person until recently. God has opened my eyes to the truth about humility.
The dictionary describes humble as the following:
1 : not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive
2 : reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission
3 : ranking low in a hierarchy or scale
I guess I have always looked at humility like the first definition. I am not assertive by nature nor am I arrogant (most of the time). It was the second definition that really caught me: offered in a spirit of defence or SUBMISSION. Whoa! You mean submission has something to do with being humble?
This is how the dictionary describes submissive:
1. a : to yield oneself to the authority or will of another : surrender b : to permit oneself to be subjected to something
2 : to defer to or consent to abide by the opinion or authority of another
I don't struggle with being submissive to Brad. I am blessed with a wonderful, loving man. His spiritual leading is amazing. He follows God's leading in his decisions.
However, can I say I am always submissive to God? Absolutely not! I have doubted Him. I have questioned Him often and quite frankly, I have been angry with Him and have chosen my own way. Why? When will I ever learn? Will I ever let go of that control completely? Many times I find myself going to God in times of trials. I will say, "If it is Your will". But many times I am really meaning, "Make Your will the same as mine and then things will be good". I am trying to get to a point where I can accept all of the things in my life as HIS will. That can be so hard! I came across this chapter. I do not often put an entire chapter on here, but it all spoke to me.
Psalm 25 (New Living Translation)
1 O Lord, I give my life to you. 2 I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. 3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
4 Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. 5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. 6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past. 7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.
8 The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. 9 He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. 10 The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
11 For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins. 12 Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose. 13 They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land. 14 The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant. 15 My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.
16 Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. 17 My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! 18 Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. 19 See how many enemies I have and how viciously they hate me! 20 Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge. 21 May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.
22 O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles.
So many times, I have felt verse number 17. It is verse 5 I need to do.. ALL DAY LONG. I am so thankful that I am given mercy!
I could not write on being humble without adding James 4:10. This is a great scripture that I can't read but sing!
James 4:10 (New International Version)
10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Well, I will stop my personal sermon. I am really working on being humble to God!
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2 comments:
Amen, amen, and AMEN!! Submitting to God is a scary process that I struggle with as well - in fact, who doesn't struggle with it? Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!
We talked about this in class this morning. (It was actually a portion of I John but same idea.)
Isn't it neat to think about that while God is speaking to one person through His word, he is speaking to a friend, through His word, about the exact same thing. We are all truly one in Him.
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