Tag Archives: humility

How Do We See God?

23 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Devotionals, Psalm 18, Psalms

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Reading:                                           Psalm 18

Verses 25-29

To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
to the pure you show yourself pure,
but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.
You save the humble
but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
You, LORD, keep my lamp burning;
my God turns my darkness into light.
 With your help I can advance against a troop;
with my God I can scale a wall (NIV).

Reflection
How do you see God? How do you perceive Him to be? The opening lines of today’s psalm reading tell us plainly that the state of our heart determines our perception of God. God reveals Himself to us according to the condition of our soul. Therefore, David makes this observation: To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.

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A celebration in the sky — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

The truth expressed in this straightforward observation has enormous implications for every human on the planet. Our relationship with God is shaped by our perception of Him, and our perception of Him is reflective of the state of our heart. For example, one person goes through a period of hardship and loss and becomes bitter and angry toward others and God. Another person goes through a similar period of hardship and loss, but emerges passionately in love with his Creator. How can this be?

The answer can be found in David’s observation: To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the devious you show yourself shrewd. The blameless assign no blame to God, but the sin-darkened soul blames Him for even the slightest adversity.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8). Do you want to see God at work in your life? Then ask the Lord Jesus to give you a pure heart. God shows Himself—becomes visible—to those with a pure heart. The pure in heart see God in the glory of the sunset, in the face of a child, in kindness of a stranger. The sin-polluted soul can view the same scene—experience the same events—and sees God in none of it. He is blind to God.

Our eyes open the moment we humble ourselves before God. David’s words ring true today. You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Response: Heavenly Father, give me a pure heart. I want to see you. I want to see you, Lord Jesus, alive and active all around me today. Give me eyes that see beyond the natural and into the realm of the spirit where you are at work. Amen.

Your Turn: Did you see God today? How did He show Himself to you?

I Am Content

15 Wednesday Feb 2017

Posted by in Psalm 131, Psalms

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Reading:                                        Psalm 131

A song of ascents. Of David.

My heart is not proud, LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.

 Israel, put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore (NIV).

Reflection

In my personal quiet time this morning I highlighted this verse. When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom (Proverbs 11:2).

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Content as a weaned child, Timothy & Joshua

The wisdom that comes with humility is a rare commodity in today’s world. It appears that the crude bravado of boasting egocentrics is winning the day. Every field of human endeavor has its loudmouthed champions—men who heap scorn on meeker souls.

But Jesus has a message that runs completely contrary to this approach. In his Sermon on the Mount, he said, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). On another occasion, the disciples asked Jesus this question, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

This is Jesus’ response.  “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (See Matthew 18:1-5).

Jesus turns this world’s operating system on its head. He heaps honor on the weak, the humble and the vulnerable. He praises the soul of the weaned child—the one who takes the position of humility. Of course, Jesus is right. The folly of the proud ends in disgrace, but the humility of the meek ends in honor and a glorious inheritance.

Your eternal destiny is determined by your humility. These words of Jesus are an ominous warning:  “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

I need to become like the weaned child of Psalm 131. Can I truthfully say these words? My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty. Have I calmed and quieted myself? Am I like a weaned child with its mother? Am I content? Becoming like the weaned child requires change. I need to change. Jesus asks me to change. How about you?

Response: Father God, help me to change. I want to become more like Jesus. He was the servant of all.  Help me to avoid the pitfall of pride. Teach how to quiet my soul and be content in you. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you learning to quiet your soul before God?

Humble Prayer

25 Wednesday Jan 2017

Posted by in Psalm 119, Psalms

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Reading:                                        Psalm 119

ר Resh

(Verses 153-160)

Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.

Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.

Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.

Your compassion, LORD, is great; preserve my life according to your laws.

Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.

I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.

See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal (NIV).

Reflection

As we draw near to the end of Psalm 119, I have a confession to make. Though in general, I love the Book of Psalms, Psalm 119 did not rank high in my affections. Though my views have changed, bear with me now as I attempt to describe why I disliked this Psalm.

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Chateau Montebello, Montebello, QB — photo by David Kitz

In my opinion the author of this psalm spends too much time posturing. He continually reminds God how good he is and how disgusting others are. Statements like this one set my teeth on edge: I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word. See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.

Words like these remind me of the Pharisee bragging in the temple while the tax collector humbly calls out to God for mercy. Jesus concludes that the tax collector “went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:14). I’m left wondering, how did the author of Psalm 119 return home? Was his prayer heard and accepted by the LORD?

The answer must be a resounding yes. Psalm 119 would not be in our Bible’s if was not the divinely inspired word of God. So this question remains. How does the psalmist get away with using the sort of comparison that drew Jesus condemnation in his description of the Pharisee and the tax collector?

I believe the answer lies in posture. Psalm 119 is best prayed from a kneeling position. The psalmist is humbly—even desperately—calling out to God. The posture we assume influences the prayers we pray.

Response: Father God, teach me how to pray with a humble heart. Any righteousness or goodness I have comes from you. I will brag about your goodness and unfailing love for me. You are true. Amen.

Your Turn: What posture do you assume when you pray? How does your posture reflect your heart?

Laid Low

03 Tuesday Jan 2017

Posted by in Psalm 119, Psalms

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Reading:                                        Psalm 119

ד Daleth

 (Verses 25-32)

I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,

that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, LORD;
do not let me be put to shame.
 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding (NIV).

Reflection

Humility is not a character quality that is natural to man; on the contrary, a proud and haughty spirit is all too common. We may do our best to disguise our pride, but often it’s there just below the surface. Usually we are blind to our conceit and arrogance. We flatter ourselves too much to see our own faults. There are a number of scriptures that say just that. The rich are wise in their own eyes; one who is poor and discerning sees how deluded they are (Proverbs 28:11).

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The shortest day of the year — photo by David Kitz

We smarten up when we are laid low. The psalmist begins today’s reading from the lowest point—from the dust. Why does he begin from such a low point? We are given a clue in the second verse of this psalm portion: I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.

When we are called to account, we like to put on a brave face and set our best foot forward. This may work well in human circles, but it’s not the best strategy when we are called to account before God. The positive spin we put on our sins and shortcomings doesn’t impress God in the least.

God sees us as we truly are. We are always naked—morally naked before Him. We can hide nothing from the LORD. When God answers us, we are brought low; we are laid low in the dust. We were taken from the dust and God formed us into who we are. Any success we have had is due to Him—entirely due to Him. That problem-solving mind was formed by Him. That pretty/handsome face was shaped by Him. That strength and athletic talent came from God. My talents are gifts from God.

We get a right understanding—the best understanding from our knees—the laid low position.

Response: Father God, you are right to call me to account. I humble myself before you. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law. I want to please you. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you putting a positive spin on your relationship with God or has humility triumphed?

Numbering Your Days

13 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by in Psalm 90, Psalms

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Reading:                                          Psalm 90

Verses 7-12

We are consumed by your anger
and terrified by your indignation.
You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
All our days pass away under your wrath;
we finish our years with a moan.
Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
If only we knew the power of your anger!
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due.
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (NIV).

Reflection

The finite nature of our lives here on planet earth should cause us to give serious thought to how we spend the days that we have been allotted. Once we reach the age of forty, roughly half of our life is over. Some claim it’s all downhill from that point forward. Life seems to speed up—to pass by quickly— as we careen toward our demise.

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Riverside getaway — photo by David Kitz

Moses concludes his prayer here in Psalm 90 with these words: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

No one wants to reach the end of their days and then realize that they have wasted their life. In our hearts, we all want to have a meaningful life filled with purpose. Much of that striving for success and our drive for a long list of accomplishments comes from a desire for meaning and purpose in life. Moses certainly had a string of achievements on his resume before the LORD called him home. He was after all the liberator of a nation. He was revered as a great leader and the great law giver. But was that due to Moses’ great ambition?

The Bible paints a different picture of Moses. When God called him into service, Moses resisted. The adopted son of Pharaoh was content to shepherd a few sheep on the backside of the desert. But God had other plans—bigger plans. This is what we are told about Moses. Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth (Numbers 12:3).

Perhaps true wisdom begins with humility—with knowing our place in the grand scheme of things. It starts as it did for Moses by hearing God’s call and ultimately being willing to obey, whatever that takes and wherever that takes us.

Response: LORD, teach me to number my days, so I may gain a heart of wisdom. Give me ears to hear what you are saying to me. I want to live a meaningful life filled with purpose coming from you. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you numbering your days or are they numbering you? Are you following God’s call?

Victory for the Humble

12 Thursday May 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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The LORD is pleased with his people, and he gives victory to those who are humble (Psalm 149:4, CEV).

D Adam

Sunset shores — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is humility.

Do you hang on to promises? A promise of help from a friend can give you hope in the midst of dark days.

Today’s verse from the Psalms is a promise from the LORD.

The LORD is pleased with his people, and he gives victory to those who are humble (Psalm 149:4, CEV).

Like many promises, this promise from the LORD is not open-ended. It has certain limitations. It is limited to the people of God—His children born of the Spirit. The second limiting factor is humility. The humble can claim this promise as their own. The proud need not apply.

Are you a humble child of God? Then hold on, victory will come. You have solid grounds for hope. The LORD will be true to His promises.

Response: LORD God, thank you for your promise of help and victory for the humble. Help me to maintain a posture of humility before you. I am your child by faith. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you hang on to God’s promises? Has He come through for you?

Care for the Humble

11 Wednesday May 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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Though you are above us all, you care for humble people, and you keep a close watch on everyone who is proud (Psalm 138:6, CEV).

Donald Adam Moon

Cradled Moon — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is humility.

The LORD God of the universe, the high and lofty One, the Creator of all, cares for the humble. That may be the most amazing truth of all.

Jesus reminds us that our heavenly Father cares even for the humble sparrow. “Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But your Father knows when any one of them falls to the ground. Even the hairs on your head are counted. So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31).

That means our merciful God cares for even for the likes of you and me.

Though you are above us all, you care for humble people, and you keep a close watch on everyone who is proud (Psalm 138:6, CEV).

All too often the rich, powerful and proud look down on those who are humble. Frequently, they exploit the poor. But our heavenly Father does the exact opposite. He lavishes grace and love on those who are humble.

Response: LORD God, I want to be more like you. Give me a heart of compassion for the humble. Help me to fully appreciate your majesty as it mingles with love and mercy. Amen.

Your Turn: Who do you admire most, the rich and powerful, or the person of humble circumstances?

You Put Down the Proud

10 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by in Psalms

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You rescue the humble, but you put down all who are proud (Psalm 18:27, CEV).

Donald Adam bridge

Assiniboine River bridge at sunset — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is humility.

It would seem that God is not fond of human pride. If you respect the LORD, you will hate evil. I hate pride and conceit and deceitful lies (Proverbs 8:13). In fact, pride may be humanities greatest sin. The proud heart has no need for God—no room for God—no desire for God. But the LORD cares for the humble and He hears their prayers.

David declares:

You rescue the humble, but you put down all who are proud (Psalm 18:27, CEV).

When I become too proud, God has a way of reminding me that I am not all together wonderful. The world does not revolve around me. It revolves around the Creator of all things. He is at the center—not me, and He is worthy of all praise. He is the Lord of all things.

It is the LORD who puts down one and exalts another. I need to keep in mind that He favors the humble. How about you?

Response: LORD God, in my relationship with you, I need humility like a fish needs water. Remind me that there is no place for human pride in the household of God. Amen.

Your Turn: Why do you think God shows His favor to the humble? 

Leading the Humble

09 Monday May 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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You lead humble people to do what is right and to stay on your path (Psalm 25:9, CEV).

D Adam bridge Across Assiniboine

Bridge across the Assiniboine River — photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is humility.

It’s difficult, if not impossible to lead the proud. The proud refuse to be led because they know the way, and their way is always right in their own eyes. Unfortunately, Christians can be just as guilty of pride as the most unrepentant sinner. But James reminds us of an essential truth, “God opposes everyone who is proud, but he is kind to everyone who is humble” (James 4:6)

In the Psalms, David reminds us that God can only lead those who are humble.

You lead humble people to do what is right and to stay on your path (Psalm 25:9, CEV).

Are you willing to be led by the Lord? David became the leader/king of Israel, but he was not too proud to be led by the LORD. Doing right and staying on God’s path for our lives does not come naturally to the human soul. It requires humility and a listening ear.

Response: LORD God, grant me a humble heart. I can easily stray from your path. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on you. Help me to hear your voice daily. Amen.

Your Turn: Does humility come easily for you? How do you overcome pride?