“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).
Humility doesn’t come naturally to us. Developing it can take a lot of prayer and intention, but really requires the work of the Holy Spirit. God allowed Joseph to be humbled through years of painful experiences. He was thrown by his own brothers into a dry well, sold into slavery, and wrongfully accused of something he didn’t do that led to being imprisoned. Yet, during these hardships, while remembering God’s promises to him, Joseph developed humility and a forgiving spirit. The turning point in Joseph’s story was when his God-given ability to interpret dreams became the opportunity for him to interpret a troubling dream for Pharaoh. This resulted in Pharoah appointing Joseph as second in command (under him) over all of Egypt. The humility Joseph gained through his trials prepared him for his leadership role that monumentally changed the course of history—saving the lives of his brothers, eventually becoming the 12 tribes of Israel.
Oftentimes, we too, from a lower position of adversity, are forced to look up and see God, “Who is enthroned on high” (Psalm 113:5). When we’re on our knees in prayer, our focus is on the greatness of God. “His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). When we look to the Lord Jesus, we see the most remarkable example of humility to follow. As we walk behind Him and let Him lead us, people see HIM in all we do.
Guiding Points:
Call to Action: In what way has God allowed you to be humbled? Read and pray these scriptures, realizing the blessing of humility. “He gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
“Humility is fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4).
“Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose]” (James 4:10).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we come before You today completely humbled by Your goodness. Help us to have humility, recognizing and repenting of any feelings of superiority or conceit. We want more of You and less of us. In Your name, we pray, Amen.
Final Thought: Like the grace of God, waterfalls never flow upward; they fall in a downward motion. God’s grace is constantly flowing down on us from Heaven above.
Having Humility Through Hardships
The Strongest Faith in the Deepest Pain
“For she said, ‘If I touch even His garments, I will be made well’” (Mark 5:28).
Walking Confidently in His Light
“For once, you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So, live as people of light!” (Ephesians 5:8).
On the Solid Rock, We Stand
“He alone is my Rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken” (Psalm 62:6).
Battling Anxiety: A Christian Perspective
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” (Proverbs 12:25).
Let the Peace of Christ Rule
“Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one Body, you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
Surrounded by The Father
“The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth” (Psalm 145:18).
God Uses Imperfect People in Extraordinary Ways
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
Turning Your Mess into a Message
“Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me” (Psalm 66:16).
Encouragement and Prayer for New Graduates
Graduation is such an exciting moment! While it’s the end of a significant chapter, it’s the beginning of many new ones forward! Taking time to celebrate this milestone is important. While there may be some uncertainty about next steps, God’s Word provides direction for the road ahead. God cares about the details of every life and wants to lead each graduate to their purpose in Christ. When we seek His face and lean into Him, He promises to be with us in every step of the journey (Matthew 6:33).