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 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).
EXAMPLES OF GOD EXALTING THE HUMBLE
DAVID. God saw David as “a man after my 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. After Solomon succeeded his father David to the throne of Israel, Solomon said to God: “You have shown great mercy to David my father, and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, O Lord God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. 10 Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?”
11 Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king— 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.” (! Chronicles 1:8-12).
WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE 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 our giving these authorities proper respect, we recognize God (Romans 13:1-2).
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, allowing us to live peaceful and godly lives (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).
However, the Word of God lets us know we should not over esteem or idolize those in positions of power: We should never violate the will of God to obey or please anyone– “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29). For our Lord God is “the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings” (1 Timothy 6:15).
WE SHOULD RECOGNIZE 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 secular and sacred sectors of the world—for our benefit, but 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 without God’s approval. When we patiently humble ourselves before the Lord, with the help of the Holy Spirit; in due time God will exalt us (1 Peter 5:6). He will give us the desires of our heart, and a crown of righteousness in heaven (Psalm 37:4; 2 Timothy 4:8).
