Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:12 NLT
Being humble can be the attitude of your own personal heart, or it can even be the attitude of a nation. God teaches us from his Word in Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
Throughout the Old Testament of the Bible, you’ll find that when a person or a nation was proud and exalted themselves, God brought events upon them that humbled them. Why would God do that?
All that God does is designed to draw us closer to him, so that we trust in him, and his ways. It’s out of his love for us!
If we look at the events now happening in our country we should think about what God teaches us in his Word. Have we become proud, seeking our own ways rather than the ways of God? Is our nation proud and haughty, thinking we are better than other nations?
People in every nation around the world are struggling. They are struggling with unemployment, struggling finding a job, struggling financially, and struggling in their relationships. There is famine, plagues and wars that are causing anxiety, worry, strife and hopelessness.
The answer to all of these things, and a way to turn them around is also found in God’s Word.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12
God has blessings just waiting for those with a humble heart.
Jesus himself said in Matthew 11:29:
Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Everyone needs rest for their souls!
When God humbled a people or a nation with struggles and strife, and when they decided to give up their own ways, and began once again to turn to God, he was always there. He had mercy and forgiveness and began to change their situation.
That is what we need now!
If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
You may be familiar the above Scripture, but it is just words on a page unless we put it into practice.
Jesus teaches us that:
“God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” Matthew 5:5
“Anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Mathew 18:4
So. . .it is up to us, individually and as a nation, to humble ourselves. Without humility we will be destroyed and fall. God says so.
What will you choose?
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:10
