PROVERBS 15:33
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom, And before honor is humility.
The ways of the kingdom of GOD are quite often, and typically the polar opposite of the kingdoms of this world. This world teaches us that it’s “dog eat dog” and that we need to look out for “number 1” (ourselves). To rise up by any means possible to achieve greatness – that “the ends justifies the means”.
This is not how it works in the kingdom of GOD! The LORD does not call upon us to “pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps”, to push to the front of the line, be assertive. He calls us to be like His Son, the LORD Jesus Christ: the ideal Man and the most worthy role model we can hope for (bar none!).
Lucifer wasn’t content with being the most powerful, the most beautiful, the wisest and greatly gifted creature GOD had ever made – he wanted more: he wanted the throne and to be worshiped just as GOD is worshiped.
His discontented heart and lust for more is what turned him into a devil.
And yet we have the Person of Christ, Who didn’t consider it a stretch to be on par with GOD the Father, and regardless, made Himself of no reputation (literally stripped Himself of His glories) and took upon Himself the form of a servant – and not just that, but humbled Himself far more than any of us – He died on the Cross for our sins (PHILIPPIANS 2:6-8).
There could have never been a greater humiliation than for GOD made flesh, to take on the sins of the world, and to receive our just punishment upon Himself! And yet what was the result of this extreme humiliation? Just as He plunged Himself to the deepest depths, GOD exalted Him to the highest heights!
PHILIPPIANS 2:9-11
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
On a much smaller scale, but still incredible by normal human standards, we have the person of Job! He was a man of godly integrity, a worshiper of GOD, a helper to the poor, a counselor to the needy and wealthy in finances, livestock, produce and servants. Scholars say he was likely a contemporary of Abraham.
Yet this man was brought down low – because of a kind of bet between GOD and Satan. The devil believed Job only worshiped GOD because He blessed the man beyond belief. So, the LORD allowed the devil to deprive Job of everything – including all ten of his children!
Throughout the entire book Job goes through one humiliation after another, including a horrible disease that attacked his body with excruciating pain. And yet as far as Job was humiliated, the LORD raised him back up to a place of great honor.
Job was blessed with twice as much as what he had lost. And more besides! His depth of spirituality was also increased!
JOB 42:5-6
5 "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. 6 Therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes."
Notice how an increase in spiritual life and insight brings about a greater awareness of our sinfulness. Essentially, the more GOD works holiness into our lives, the darker and deadlier sin appears in us. But we have the promise of GOD as we behold Him through the eyes of faith, that we will be brought to the highest place of blessing and excellence that we couldn’t even begin to imagine!
We as the bride of Christ are going to have that high position of prominence that Lucifer lusted after for himself! That’s because as the saints of GOD, He brings us through a place of humiliation in order to prepare us for a place of honor!
So, if you’re going through humiliating circumstances that’s beyond your control, understand, GOD is in the mix, and is preparing you for a place of honor. Submit willingly to His work and you will find tremendous blessing!
FOR MORE of this, check out this devotional from Steve Sande!
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