Daily Devotion

May 3, 2006

Psa 119:141  I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

How many times do we want to get back at those who despise us and make us feel small.  How many times do we want to say or do something that we feel may help vindicate us in our own eyes?  How many times when in those situations, are we tempted to forget His precepts and try to bring in our own justice?

Whatever our background, the fate of God’s children is to eventually be abased in the eyes of the world, as well as their own eyes, so they can learn the true humility that elevates someone in the eyes of God.  This “humility training” will come at the price of deep humiliations and true breakings, and oh, how God knows our number; how well He knows the very thing that will provoke the humility schooling out of us!

He may use what you are the most conscious of, your outward appearance.  He may use a poor complexion or an inability to lose weight.  With others He may use a handicap such as a speech impediment.  He may also use a simple mind or an inability to compete with others in certain matters.  He will also allow people, often those closest to you, to mock you, despise you, use and misunderstand you, even and even particularly at times when you try to do something good for them.  This will cause you to want to cry out for “justice” and vindication that will not come no matter what you do.  It will bring you to a place where the only godly solution to the situation is to go under in humility.

Jesus suffered His all without opening His mouth, and went as a sheep to the slaughter (Isaiah 53).   He gave His body and His life voluntarily over to the mockers and scorners of this world. He did it so He could conquer evil.  He did it so we could live.  He did as a sample for us to follow, and no true missionary, pastor or teacher of the Word can do a good job without the humility schooling that God sends our way and brings us through.  


Mat 5:3-10  Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  (4)  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.  (5)  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.  (6)  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.  (7)  Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.  (8)  Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.  (9)  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.  (10)  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Patrick Lumbroso
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