1st Peter 5:6. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may be able to exalt you in due time:” HUMBLE YOURSELVES. This doesn’t happen by accident; it happens by choice – When I sense pride is rising and then I hear God’s voice Telling me the solution before His hand comes down hard – Its presence is firmly applied as in grace He starts To do what is needed that I may pay good attention – And make changes on my own and avoid possible contention That accompanies pride leading to serious downfall – Making of no effect what had such great potential – A unified group of people who respect one another Knowing though we’re different yet we all have the same Father Who under His mighty hand can bring each one to his knees - Where face down in the dirt we finally listen to what He says.
It didn’t have to be hard; it began with a choice to make – As before us opened the way the wise, humble person will take. And there find sweet fellowship among the saints of God – Where also God can use you to tell of His love to all the world. When such times come then the humbled person prays – God is there to answer as He listens to what he says – And because of living faith, and evidence of real grace
God lifts that person up, putting them in a special place – To fulfill some service God has given to do it as he must, And God uses the one He knows He can really trust. One who has humbled himself and his weakness thus confessed, By lifting up of God’s hand, through humility others are blessed.
“Pride is an awful thing, I know, Father: and yet it seems to raise its ugly head, in the most unseemly ways. I certainly have nothing to be proud of – and yet there is a tendency to want to take credit for the things so other people will think more highly of me. I think I can feel the pressure of Thy mighty hand even now – and I thank Thee for it. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
1Peter 5:6. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.” THE CHOICE OF HUMILITY. Erect posture; shoulders back; head held high; eyes that look around to see if others are looking – Every hair in place; no wrinkles to be found; self-conscious checking out of how others may perceive – Time spent in front of self-reflection; views from without; from left to right and back again – A walk self-conscious with every step considered; an image seeking to be impressed upon the minds of others –
And then... From above the pressure is applied with steady force, firmly placed upon proud shoulders. A hand that cannot be denied, and yet without hurt or pain unless resisted. A father-like pressure making a change in self-image, self- consciousness, self-reliance, self-love: So unmistakable because of the sense of divine love in the fingers and palm that moves against the rising of self. The hand is redirecting, refocusing, refusing to allow an independence from the family life I have. That hand does not slap nor curl into a rock-like fist, but there is no doubt that it is controlling me. That mighty hand holds the world and keeps all the movements of time and space in order lest catastrophe fall. That hand holds each breath in it and allows each needed one to keep this frail mortal man alive. His finger carved out the divine will in hard resisting rock, and let it be seen lest any or all of us think things are out of control. The mighty hand of God leaves no doubt as to the degree of His interest and concern, in the one He loves.
I have a choice… Yield and gladly accept the divine intervention that keeps me from sin; or resist – and lose. Bow in humility and contriteness at the first sense of pressure placed on this arrogant head; or struggle – and fail. Willingly bow my knees and heart at the first signal of His hand directing me into a different path; or try to turn – and fall. Get used to the prostrate position and the worn knees on my pants; then, when perhaps least expected – that hand goes under the arm and lifts ,until I am in the upright position of submission to His direction alone.
“O Mighty One that resists the proud and give grace to the humble; who puts down and raises up; who knows what is needed and when and why. I willingly step back from a place of self-importance to accept with joy, the divine pressure placed upon me. I am amazed that You even bother to care, let alone to change me. I thank you for the pressure and awareness of You. Amen.”