Humble Yourselves
Scripture reading for November 13: 1 Peter 5
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:5-9
Peter was a brash and boastful person before he met Jesus Christ. He was humbled as he denied knowing Jesus three times as Jesus had predicted. Jesus restored him by asking if he loved Him three times. But Jesus taught us to humble ourselves rather than having to be humbled! Peter now concludes this letter to the church with encouragement to the elders to humbly shepherd God’s flock willingly with gentleness and modeling Christ’s example. (1 Peter 5:1-4)
Peter encouraged all younger believers to ‘clothe yourselves with humility.’ The reason is that God’s grace is only given and able to be received by humble hearts. God, Himself, opposes the proud. Pride is the mark of the devil who is constantly after believers to devour them. When we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, an act of humility is to cast all our anxieties on Him out of faith that He will care for us. We humbly watch and pray for ourselves and our fellow-believers. Pride and rebellion against authority are common attacks of our enemy Satan. He is a rebel himself and pride and self-exaltation got him kicked out of heaven. Peter promised the humble that God would exalt them in the proper time! Jesus lifts up those who willingly humble themselves!
Have you ever been humbled by God because of pride or rebellion? Do you find it difficult to humble yourself by praying or submitting to the elders who watch over you? Is there an attack of the devil in your life today that you need to resist? Will you humble yourself and ask for prayer?
Prayer: Father, in Jesus’ Name, I humble myself today under Jesus Christ the Great Shepherd. Thank You for His humble and gentle heart given to me by the Holy Spirit. Continue to teach me how to humble myself to respect my elders and each person and willingly serve them as Jesus called me. Amen.
0 thoughts on “Humble Yourselves”