GOD EXALTS THE HUMBLE
The biblical Word of God says, “humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor” (1 Peter 5:6). God exalts those who humbly submit to him; but humbles those who exalt themselves (James 4:6). For our learning, the Bible provides us examples of how God exalted and humbled individuals and nations.
EXAMPLES OF GOD EXALTING THE HUMBLE
God saw David as “a man after His own heart,” and God favored him. The Lord elevated David from being a humble shepherd boy to being victorious over God’s enemies, to being a king of God’s people. (1 Samuel 13:14; 2 Samuel 17; 2 Samuel 5:1-2).
Solomon humbled himself before God, and the Lord gave him the throne of his father David. He humbly prayed to the Lord for wisdom to lead God’s people. God gave him more wisdom than any other person that lived. And because he humbly knelt to God, the Lord also gave him more riches than any other person of his time. (1 Kings 3:1-13).
EXAMPLES OF GOD DEBASING THE PROUD
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, exalted himself while failing to reverence God. As the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?” The Lord removed him as king, and humbled him by causing him to eat grass like a beast of the field—“Seven times [years] will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes” (Daniel 4:28-33).
Belshazzar, grandson of Nebuchadnezzar, failed to learn the lesson that God taught his grandfather. Belshazzar tried to impress his party guests with his glitz and power, by allowing them to party with holy vessels of the Lord that were captured from the kingdom of Israel. God sent a Persian army to dethrone and kill Belshazzar (Daniel 5).
RECOGNIZING GOD AS RULER OVER OUR INDIVIDUAL LIVES
We should humbly recognize that the Lord God made us to glorify him ( Colossians 1:16). Acknowledge that he died to atone for our sins, and redeem us to God (Romans 5:8; John 3:16). Recognize that we live and move and have our being in him–And without him we can do nothing (Acts 17:28; John 15:5).
He gives us various gifts and measures of power and recognition in sacred and secular sectors of the world, primarily to glorify him and do his will. We should recognize that all good gifts, abilities and positions come from him. And we ought to be guided by His Word and Spirit in using our gifts for his glory and the common good of others. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; James 1:17).
We need not anxiously seek power or recognition by trying to exalt ourselves. We should take pride in the fact that greater is the Spirit in us who submit to the Lord, than the spirit in those who are exalted by the world’s spirit (1 John 4:4).
RECOGNIZING GOD ABOVE ALL AUTHORITIES
The Bible says God rules over all nations (Psalm 22:28). It tells us all positions of power and authority that exist are allowed by God. In giving these authorities proper respect, we recognize God (Romans 13:1-2).
However, we should not over esteem or idolize those in positions of power and recognition. We should never violate the will of God to obey or please anyone (Acts 5:29). For our Lord God is “the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings” (1 Timothy 6:16).
God may work through people in positions of power for our security and well-being; and he would have us to pray that he gives them guidance (1 Timothy 2:2; Proverbs 21:1). The Lord would have us to know that ultimately he provides for all our needs according to his power and riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). Even in troubling times, our Lord God say: “If my people, who are called my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
When we patiently humble ourselves before the Lord, with the help of the Holy Spirit; in due time God will exalt us in honor (1 Peter 5:6; Matthew 6:33). He will give us the desires of our heart, and a crown of righteousness in heaven (Psalm 37:4; 2 Timothy 4:8).
