Humility (1 Peter 5: 6)
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”
Humility is appropriate. When one contemplates our small place in the world, in the history of humankind against the enormity of God in his perfect judgement, we are reduced to speechlessness. Consider creation: its complexities, its intricacies, its interconnectedness, and its attention to detail, wrought with purpose, in all of its grander and minutia. God spoke this into existence. He provides. He sustains. He makes a way. Life itself, what it takes to carry this forth, is all in his hands. That this force is also good, as confirmed in our innermost beings, is a reality to marvel at. That he cares for individuals so that we can cast our anxieties onto him is immensely reassuring. Yes, this God is different.
The word holy means separate. When the seraphim exclaim “holy, holy, holy” (Isaiah 6: 3), the depiction is that he is so far separate from us, unique and powerful, perfect in make and majesty, that we pale in comparison. In the Hebrew of the Old Testament this repetition serves as an exclamation mark. This is the reality that guides and molds us as we seek relationship with this tremendous force.
But “what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them” (Psalm 8: 4)? We are mortal and finite. Our understanding is limited. We have faults and flaws. We are prone to stray. We want control, to be gods unto ourselves, calling the shots and making decisions. Most often, we are prideful. We build ourselves up at the expense of others. We think that, somehow, we are more competent in understanding God in his relationship to people than anyone else.
Still, “you have made (us) a little lower than the angels and crowned (us) with glory and honor” (Psalm 8: 5). God wants good things for us, if we would only allow. He removed the ultimate obstacles through Jesus Christ our Lord. Having compassion for us, he did what we cannot do for ourselves, proving that God is ultimately a gift-giver, having concern for our wellbeing through transformation. Grace establishes us and makes us want more. We begin to understand that, though it is not about us, it is in our best interest that he acts. The peace that this engenders then inspires vitality, which is the bud of joy. This we see clearly when times are good. But what about when trials abound?
Over and over in the bible God promises good things to those who wait. Understanding the magnitude of God’s cause might make us realize that “the” ultimate good might mean for us suffering today. The reality is that God is managing billions of people simultaneously, each with their own bent. God wants “all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2: 4). In God’s economy of blessings, in the workings of his cause, this, on any given day, might place me in a time of adversity.
A mature Christian humbly submits knowing that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8: 28). It is a wonder how he can manipulate so many chess pieces all at one time. Ultimate matters have been taken care of. Humility in understanding that we cannot possibly wrap our feeble minds around this magnificent puzzle, this divine quandary, gives us the strength to hold on.
One lesson that we learn as Christians is that we are dependent. Yet, we trust. We have already been justified through faith giving us peace, which is the springboard to even more riches. So, in view of God’s mercy, we offer ourselves as “a living sacrifice,” given the ability through the transformation of our minds to discern God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12: 1-2). Today, we take our medicine. But, tomorrow, who can fathom what it holds?
That God would condescend to our position of need is astounding. Yet, because of this, we believe in the goodness of his providence. We take another step and feel his presence. We are uplifted by the awareness that it is going somewhere good. We are humbled because, ultimately, we accept that things are not ours to control. We have courage and strength, the product of our trust. Then, low and behold, our humility is rewarded in the workings of this all-powerful and benevolent God:
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgements, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his councilor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them” (Romans 11: 33-35)? Humbly rejoice; God is great!