Welcome!
Today: The beauty of letting God lift you up!
Passage: 1 John 2
5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”[a] 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5, NIV 84) –emphasis added
Frankly speaking, every one likes to have a “lift up” in life.
God does not want us to stay in the same level, all the time!
But it is better that “the lift” comes from God than from ourselves!
I have read the above verse several times, and have even preached from it. But at all those times, the emphasis was on “he may lift you up”; recently, as I was thinking of it again, I felt that “in due time” is is more important there
“In due time” is better understood by a pregnant mother than anybody else. If a baby is delivered before time, he/she can have its consequences
When God wants to do something in our life, He will do it at the appointed time, and in His own way. All we need is to humble ourselves, under the mighty hand of God. (That is not that easy and not that sweet..!)
I have seen many people “rushing” to get there. They device their own schemes, “canvas” people and do all sorts of things, but God “disqualifies” them
Absalom, son of David was a typical example. He had a desire to sit on the throne of David. He “effectively” won the hearts of people, but could not really enjoy it that long. His end was pathetic!
When we rush to positions without waiting for God’s time and will, it can cost us a fortune, and can end up in a “foreclosure”!
There are many who think that they are the only ones who can handle certain jobs, and nobody else can! Our attitude towards positions and possessions is very important
The O.T example of Abraham and Lot is worth mentioning in this context. Lot selected a place of his own choice, whereas Abraham just let it go…. Both were rich, but Abraham’s attitude towards riches was totally different from Lot’s (Gen 13)
Abraham had his riches and his riches were his servant!
Lot’s riches had him. They were his master!
God is interested in our well-being. Our God is not a sadistic/pessimistic God. He is full of optimism and He wants us to be so.
In the end, it is about “how” we did it, than “what” we did. God is watching each and every move of us closely. One day, He will give us a report on our life, and it’s FREE! The only questions is, whether we will be free after that or not!
Those who want a “lift up” from God will wait; those who can’t wait, will “get” it!
Jesus knew that the people singing “Hosanna” one day will scream “crucify him” the next day; so Jesus didn’t wait for or “buy” praises from people
May God “lift us up” at the due time. Until then, stay “blessed” under His arms!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your interest in me. Help me to stay in submission to you, and be under your mighty hands so that I can be a channel of your blessing to many, just as you did during your earthly days. Amen
“It’s only when we come out of God’s hand can the devil put his hands over us”