Humility

“I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:16

Thinking that one can do anything on his own is a common view of many people. Very few people like the feeling of needing help to get something accomplished.

Unless someone does not want to do some task, most people will never say that they cannot do it when asked to do a task. They will push forward and do it without a care about the real outcome. It will appear as though they know what they are doing.

Pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret. He was told Joseph could interpret it. Joseph says that he cannot interpret the dream, but God can.

When speaking words, it is easy for someone to say anything and everything without really speaking what is correct. It is common to hear people talk about things that they have no real idea or expertise in what they are discussing.

This is often done out of pride. No one wants to be seen is incapable of something, whether it is speaking or physically doing something. To admit that one cannot do something, is to admit a fault or weakness.

True believers in God have come to realize the true weakness of their own abilities and what God is actually able to do. They are quick to point people to God, rather to themselves. They are clothed with the humility that Christ portrayed and are unwilling to take credit for something that God is doing.

God has the amazing ability to do anything and everything Himself or through people who lean on Him for strength and ability. Without God giving breath of life and strength, no man can do anything at all. With God, nothing is impossible.

God is at work in your life. He is there to give you abilities to do things that would otherwise be impossible. He is also there to give you wisdom in the spiritual realm that the world cannot see nor understand.

As the world is trying to tell you that you can do anything on your own, point the world back towards God. Do not let the ways of the world corrupt your mind and filling you with selfish and false pride.

Lean on God for all of your abilities and understanding. Let God do what you cannot.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will trust God’s abilities over your own; that you will point the world towards God; that God will strengthen you to remove all pride in your life; and that you will be humble before man and God.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. John 13:12

Understanding what other people are doing is something that does not commonly occur. Among people, misunderstanding happens more often than understanding.

All a person can see is the outward action, but are unable to see the true motive for the action. The actions are often misconstrued for the wrong reasons. Many will even take offense to actions done with the right heart or purpose.

While sitting and eating His last meal with the disciples, Jesus began to wash their feet. As He finished washing their feet, He asked them if they understood what He did for them.

During the biblical times people wore sandals and walked everywhere. Their feet would get extremely dirty. When they went into someone’s place, they would often be given some water to wash their feet. Each person would wash his own feet.

Instead of allowing the disciples to wash their own feet, Jesus washed their feet Himself. Not only had Jesus washed their feet, He also later paid for their sins, forgave them of their sins, did many healings, and gave each one life.

All these things were done for them and as an example to them. Believers are to put others before themselves. They are to humble themselves and serve others as they serve God, just as Jesus continues to serve.

This serving can come in washing feet, forgiving, giving a helping hand, teaching and many other ways. It is about loving the neighbor and the enemy as God loves them.

It will be a struggle for any believer to do any of these things, until he comes to a good understanding of what Jesus has done for him.

In the same way Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, He also has washed you clean of your sins. This was done in humility when He was dying upon the cross, cursed of His Father in heaven.

You are expected to be just like Jesus, humbling yourself to serve others as you serve God. Doing things for others is the same as doing it for God, but it takes putting others before yourself.

It takes understanding what He has done for you to do it for others.

Do you understand what He has done for you?

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Savior; that you will understand what Jesus as done for you; that you will humble yourself to serve others as Jesus has served you; that you will know God’s love for you; and that you will have God’s love for others.