Grace to the Humble

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Grace to the Humble

The apostle Peter experienced  what it was  to be humble before our Lord.     Before Jesus’ trial and crucifixion,  he had boldly stated  that he would absolutely never deny the Lord.     He even claimed boldly  that he was willing to die  with our Lord.     But,  as Jesus prophesied,  Peter denied knowing the Lord  three times  before the  rooster crowed.

That’s how we are.     Weak and fearful,  we simply don’t live  to glorify the LORD of lords,  our Creator and Redeemer.     But,  as Peter learned  to stop being proud and boastful  of his own abilities,  we, too,  need to realize our weaknesses.     Reflecting on what he had learned,  Peter teaches us  in 1 Peter 5:5-10,

All of you,  clothe yourselves  with humility toward one another,  for God is opposed to the proud,  but gives grace  to the humble.

Humble yourselves,  therefore,  under the mighty hand of God,  that He may exalt you  at the proper time,  casting all your anxiety upon Him,  because He cares for you.

Be of sober spirit,  be on the alert.     Your adversary,  the devil,  prowls about like a roaring lion,  seeking someone  to devour.     But resist him,  firm in your faith,  knowing that the same experiences of suffering  are being accomplished by your brethren  who are in the world.

And after you have suffered for a little,  the God of all grace,  who called you  to His eternal glory in Christ,  will Himself perfect,  confirm,  strengthen  and establish you.

Just as the devil tried  to break Peter’s faith and spirit,  he is always sneaking around,  looking for ways  to break our faith  in God.     We are to realize  what is happening  when we face fears,  doubts,  loneliness,  pains,  and a tearing down  of our faith.     We are not alone  in these experiences.     Every true Christian,  without exception,  is facing various sorts of challenges  of their faith.

So,  Peter is telling us  to not depend  on our own strength  to make it through our troubles.     We need to realize  we don’t have the strength  to overcome the problems faced  in this world — but,  God does.     We need  to humble ourselves  before our Lord  and admit our weaknesses — asking our Savior  to help and strengthen us.

Satan can easily take us down — but,  he is helpless  before God Almighty.     So,  God must be our strength,  fortress,  and rock of sure defense.     If we don’t depend on God,  we will fail  in our attempts  to prove our strength  and “worthiness”.     But,  God knows our every moment  of our every day.     He will let us suffer  for a little,  but as we turn to Him  and ask for His grace,  He “will Himself perfect,  confirm,  strengthen  and establish you.”      That is a most comforting and sure promise.

Let us humbly  turn to God  and say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  You know how very weak we are.     We can do nothing  on our own.     Look at all our troubles  and have mercy  on our many needs,  for Jesus’ sake.     We thank You  for granting us salvation  through Christ Jesus.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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