Grace to the Humble
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Psalm 131
1. O Lord, my heart is not lifted up, my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. 2. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a child quieted at its mother's breast; like a child that is quieted is my soul. 3. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
Psalm 149:1-5
1. Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of the faithful! 2. Let Israel be glad in his Maker, let the sons of Zion rejoice in their King! 3. Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with timbrel and lyre! 4. For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with victory. 5. Let the faithful exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their couches.
Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.
James 4:6-8 RSV
But he gives more grace; therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind.
Some mornings I’m not sure if I just pick out a verse because I like it, or a theme because it’s applicable to a situation in my life. This morning I read several Psalms and I especially like Psalm 131. One of my spiritual mentors told me long ago that it is one that provides her tremendous comfort when the world just seems too big and she is troubled in her heart. It continues to be one of my favorites. It kind of sums up the only requirement God places on us. Seek him and trust him. It sounds so easy, doesn’t it? OK, not easy – but simple. It’s not easy because we’re human and we humans seem rather prone to pride and arrogance!
I received confirmation of the intended theme for today when I opened up my e-mail subscription for the past couple of days – I’ve gotten a bit behind this week, but obviously was intended to read these two e-mails with the verses from Romans and James this morning as confirmation! God is so good! And hence the reason for our humility! It is a natural response to a God who has perfectly planned every instant of our lives! The mystery of the hundreds of “coincidences” in our lives remains unsolved—unless we believe in a God who stoops down from heaven to touch our lives!
And I do believe in that God! I see him every day in the faces of people I meet. I struggle to see him in all of them, but I do try! God wants us to recognize that He is in charge, in control. And to acknowledge that he does a much better job than we when we run off on our own, saying, “I can do it myself.” I have found that prayer is a great “humbler.” When I go to God in prayer for an answer or a resolution to a problem, it is my acknowledging that I cannot live without Him. That’s all humility is. I will readily admit that I am ever challenged to calm and quiet my soul. I had practiced meditation for several weeks, but have given up the practice since our move—too busy! Now if that’s not an irony, I don’t know what is!
I hope today you submit to God all your cares, concerns, questions, doubts, and hopes! And that you trust that He will answer you when you call to him.
Mary
