Letters of Paul: 30-Day Reading PlanSample

You’re at Your Most Powerful When You Humble Yourself

Psalm 14 describes the person who takes advantage of others as a fool. The fool stops seeking God’s will because he thinks he knows what’s best. God wants the fool to seek Him, so He can give him good things, but the fool turns his back to God.

The righteous man, the one who has been made right with God, chooses to humble himself. His reward is a life with God, a life with the Creator of the Universe on his side (Psalms 14:5-6).

This is the same example Jesus set for us. Though Jesus was one with God, he “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8-9).

Jesus left heaven to be born as a helpless baby. He suffered a horrific death He did not deserve, so we could have a relationship with the Father like He did. Jesus didn’t have to die. He chose to die. In humbling Himself to God’s will, Jesus gave up His earthly life, so we could experience eternal life.

God had something even greater for Jesus than casting out demons and healing sick people. In submitting to God and dying for our sin, Jesus became “the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9).

God has something greater for us than chasing more money, power, or life experiences. That’s why Paul calls us to adopt Jesus’ mindset as our own. Humility allows us to experience God’s power into our everyday lives.

When we bend our will to God’s will, we see God’s power and fall more in love with His character. Jesus-level humility takes time, but as we learn to trust God, He gives us the ability to want to give more of ourselves to Him. That’s a promise from Philippians 2:13 (NLT), “God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

So the next time the Holy Spirit prompts you to serve someone — to cut the neighbor’s grass or send an encouraging note to a coworker — do it. Your simple act of humility could create an opportunity for that person to see God in a whole new way. Your “yes” to God might be their answered prayer.

Reflect:

• What would it look like to humble yourself? What would need to change in your life?
  
• What is one way you can humble yourself and serve someone today? This week?