BE HUMBLE AND GOD WILL EXALT YOU

PROCLAMATION

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”  1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle Peter, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers who scattered after the crucifixion of Christ. (1 Peter 1:1-2)  Peter began this fifth and final chapter of his first letter by telling the elders of the church to be good shepherds of God’s flock. (1 Peter 5:1-4)  Then he tells the people to submit to the elders and to be humble because God shows favor to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5-6)  He reminds them that they have been called by God.  He said that they may suffer for a little while but that God Himself would restore them and strengthen them. (1 Peter 5:10)  To God be the glory forever. (1 Peter 5:11)  He ends by saying: “Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Peter 5:14)

 

APPLICATION                                                                                                                   

Some of us have too high of an opinion of ourselves.  It is hard for a proud person to humble themselves and grow in grace.  When we think too highly of ourselves, we tend to lose our focus on The Lord God who is above all of us. (Romans 12:3)  We need to learn to humble ourselves before God has to humble us, as He did to the apostle Paul with that “thorn” in his flesh. (2 Corinthians 12:7)  Self pride or vanity is not a good thing. (Job 35:13, Psalm 4:2, Psalm 94:11, Ecclesiastes 6:4, Ezekiel 13:8, and Ephesians 4:17)  God does not look kindly on the proud. (James 4:6 and 2 Peter 5:5)  Be humble.  Whoever shall humble himself, God will exalt in due time. (Matthew 23:12, Luke 14:11, and 1 Peter 5:6)