Christ-like humility
by Charles Bertelsmeier
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6,7).
Read 1 Peter 5:1–14
In researching this passage, I came across a quote attributed to CS Lewis: ‘Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.’ I was also reminded of the Bible passage in Philippians 2:8: ‘he [Jesus] humbled himself by becoming obedient to death …’
The God we trust in and surrender our lives to loves us so much that he was prepared to be humiliated by dying as a criminal in one of the cruellest methods of execution that humans could think up. Might we not try to better understand how to live in a state of humility ourselves?
As you read about the life of Jesus in the New Testament, you never find Jesus letting himself be used by others. He was never anyone’s doormat. He was always in control. You may also notice that a number of times, people were intent on killing him; however, it didn’t happen because Jesus’ Father prevented it.
Peter’s directive to humble ourselves ‘under God’s mighty hand’ is important here. The ‘mighty hand’ is God’s very powerful protective hand, not a threatening hand. As we live and follow the direction of our Heavenly Father, we are also under the protection of the same Heavenly Father. This means we can concentrate on what God is calling us to do and not be concerned about the impact on ourselves.
Peter adds that whatever is worrying us and distracting us from what God is calling us to do, God wants us to hand those concerns over to him so that we can concentrate on the servant tasks he has given us.
Here is a little anecdote. I live in a retirement village and participate in a few servant activities. I take pride in how well I carry out my servant activities and appreciate the acknowledgement of others. Last weekend, in front of more than 100 people, I embarrassed myself twice when carrying out my servant duties. So much for my pride. And I need to hand over my embarrassment to my loving Heavenly Father and get on with serving humbly.
Jesus, thank you for setting an example for living humbly under the protecting and guiding care of you and our Heavenly Father. Amen.
Charles is a retired engineer who has worked on communications projects for the air force, army and navy. He lives in retirement in the outer north-western suburbs of Sydney with his wife, Diane. They have four children and eight grandchildren, all of whom they love spending time with. He keeps himself busy looking after their pot plants and the community vegetable garden, researching his family history and volunteering in the community and at LifeWay Lutheran Church.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
