“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11
Very few people don’t like to be honored and lifted up. Everyone likes to receive praise for what they have done. They want to be recognized for all their accomplishments and for who they are.
There is nothing wrong with that desire. The problem comes in how they get that recognition.
The most common way for people is for them to blow their own horn. They tell everyone how great they are or who they are. This is what Jesus is calling, “exalting themselves”. They are lifting themselves up.
The example Jesus gave was when going to a banquet, you seat yourself in a place of honor, instead of allowing the host to seat you there. You put yourself in that position, rather than be put into that position.
Everywhere you go, in the church or outside the church, people love titles or positions. They demand a title or a position. Once they get it, they tell everyone about it. They brag on that title or position.
Jesus said if you lift yourself up like this you will be humbled. Although you may look great in your own eyes, you may not be that great. Eventually someone will cut you down to size. This will be humbling and embarrassing.
To get around having to be humbled by someone, you must humble yourself. Do not lift yourself up, allow others to do that. Be yourself and who God wants you to be. Do only what God wants you to do.
When Jesus walked on the earth, He did not go around shouting that He was God or trying to prove to people He was God. All He did was what God the Father wanted Him to do and say. Since Jesus did that, He has been lifted by God above all others.
You are to be just like Jesus. Just do what the Father wants. Humble yourself, so that God will not have to humble you. In this way God will later exalt you higher than you could have ever done yourself.
I pray today that you will know the desires of God’s heart for your life; that you will allow God to exalt you; that you will keep your heart humble before God and man; and that God will use you to do great works for His kingdom.
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