Are you one who honors and upholds humility? Yes, we should do that. It brings forth more grace and much more!
Peter is making an appeal to the elders and young men, exhorting them to serve wholeheartedly. He tells them to “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serve as overseers–not because you must, but because you are willing; as God wants you to be. (1 Peter 5: 2)
To the young men, he instructs them to be submissive to the older folks. Then he says, “All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5: 5)
The Appeal Continues
Peter continues to share the Christian duties encouraging them to:
- Cast all your anxiety on Jesus. (1 Peter 5: 7)
- Be self-controlled and alert for the devil is prowling around to devour. (1 Peter 5: 8)
- Stand firm in the faith. (1 Peter 5: 9)
We can all learn to exhibit these qualities.
The Appeal To Be Strong
Whether we like it or not, strength comes from suffering. We often ask for it to be removed immediately, but “The God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” (1 Peter 5: 10)
Who wants to suffer? No one does! Yet, I have learned that the way to be restored is often through the path of suffering.
- If we don’t need to be restored, then we have not suffered.
- If we don’t need cared for and fixed, then we are not broken.
- Suffering does humble us.
(Shared from 1 Peter 5, Modified)
Being Humble Serves To Set Us Free
Jeremiah shares in this chapter the most detailed account of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. “Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it.” (Jeremiah 39: 1)
When Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them coming they fled, but the Babylonian army pursued them and captured King Zedekiah. While in captivity, they slaughtered his sons before his very eyes, then put him in chains and gouged out his eyes. What a ruthless and vile people!
Nebuchadnezzar gave orders about Jeremiah to take him and look after him, not to harm him and to do for him what he asks. Why such favor with him?
- God is faithful to His servants.
- God can use even someone least expected to help us.
Jeremiah dwelt among the people and was released and protected by the Babylonians.
- God’s grace is supreme.
God showed his remarkable care for him which continues into the next chapter, even from the hands of the pagan authority. He received better care than some of their own people. He lived under the care of the governor.
In all of his hardship, Jeremiah still exhibited humility.
(Shared from Jeremiah 39-40)
Humility Brings Forth Praise
The humble Psalmist proclaimed this: “Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. (Psalm 138: 6-7)
Let this be your humble declaration: “The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever–do not abandon the works of your hands.” (Psalm 138: 8)
(Shared from Psalm 138, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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