Faithful to Humble & Exalt

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" (Luke 14:11).

This truth is also found in Philippians 2:3-11:

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The faithfulness of God is wonderful. I received Jesus Christ once 38 years ago,* and I have never had to do it again. Not every decision is that permanent. I would like to think that if I humbled myself once I would never have to do it again. I have had to do it again and again.

The faithfulness of God works in a different way. God is faithful to humble those who exalt themselves. He is also faithful to exalt those who humble themselves. His humbling us and His exalting us may not happen immediately upon our exalting ourselves and our humbling ourselves. In fact, it may not happen until much later.

*Written February 1986.

This post coordinates with tomorrow's reading in the To the Word! Bible Reading Challenge. If you are not in a daily reading plan, please join us at TotheWord.com. We would love to have you reading with us.

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