God is speaking to me today about humility. One of the things I pray for every day is that He will help me always to turn from pride. My desire is to be humble, just as Jesus was.
The Word of God is very clear on the value of humility in God’s eyes. He cares for the humble, but keeps His distance from the proud (Psalm 138:6). He exalts those who are humble, but humbles those who exalt themselves (Luke 14:11; 18:14). He will lift up all those who humble themselves in His sight (James 4:10). Jesus said that the person who becomes as humble as a child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:4).
In Jesus, God has given us the perfect example of humility. Jesus is one with God the Father (John 17:21) yet, out of obedience to the Father, He humbled Himself by taking the form of a man and then willingly gave up His life through the shameful death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). The salvation of each and every one of us was more important to Him than His own life. He humbled himself and died for us so that we could have eternal life with Him in heaven.
The Christmas story (Luke 2:1-20) also gives us some wonderful examples of humility. Jesus is the Son of God and, as such, He reigns over the heavens and the earth. Yet, He came to earth as a tiny baby. He was not born in a palace, but in a dirty stable. He didn’t have an expensive crib or the finest clothes, but slept in a manger wrapped in strips of cloth. His earthly parents were not royalty, but a poor carpenter and his young wife. And His birth was announced, not to all the kings of the earth, but to a group of lowly shepherds.
Lord, I thank You for Your Son, Jesus, who came down from heaven and gave us the perfect example of humility. As we reflect on the story of His birth this Christmas, I pray that we will grow in our desire to be humble servants who strive to be like Him. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
A Worshiper's Journal 