A Servant's HeartSample

‘Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that He may lift you up in due time.’ (1 Peter 5:6)

‘Humble’ can seem like a negative word. When you search the word, one of the meanings is that it can mean that we have been brought down to a low position. If you read the verses around it (verse 5b-7) it says, “...clothe yourselves with humility toward one another because God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble. Humble yourselves, then, under God’s mighty hand, so that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

Verse 6 and 7 can seem very confusing. We can give our worries to Him, but we also have to humble ourselves, make ourselves small? Look again at the prior verse. There it says that it is not good to be proud but to be humble. Someone who is proud is arrogant, only thinks of themself, thinks they can do everything by themself and feels that they are better than others. Someone who is humble is modest, willing to do what they are asked to do, and doesn’t insist on being the first.

This comparison helps in understanding what is meant by the word ‘humble,’ from God’s viewpoint. It is not that we have to bring ourselves down, but that we have to admit, ‘God You are the greatest. You are the one who cares for me, I cannot do it myself. I need You and I choose to do what You ask from me. I want to obey You. And when I succeed in something, I give You the honor. Because it is You who helps me and brings me to the right place, the place You have planned for me.’

What do you think about the word humble? Does it give you a negative feeling or does it give you a willing submission toward God? Will you choose to humble yourself, to obey Him?