Be Humble and Teachable
ICS Daily Devotions
1 Peter 5:5-7 (NKJV) Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Christians are not exempt from suffering in this broken world, but we can take comfort in the fact that God has not forsaken or abandoned us. There will be times when we feel anxious, bogged down by cares, stressed out, and depressed, even as we walk out God’s will for our lives. When we are unsure whether we are walking in His will, pressure builds in our minds and hearts, and doubt and unbelief can affect us. Nevertheless, we can take comfort that God is with us and for us.
Pride can blind us because it tends to make us think too highly of ourselves. Lucifer thought he was more beautiful, more powerful, and more worthy of worship than God. Therefore, the devil’s work is evident when pride is present in our lives, and our downfall will be imminent if we do not deal with it promptly. Lucifer was cast down to the earth to await the final judgement. Therefore, it would be wise for us to learn from his lesson.
We should be humble and teachable because God loves us deeply. He knows that in this world we will have troubles and tribulations, and He wants us to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us. He has said it clearly in the opening passage. God wants to give you grace in life and impart His blessing and favour to you; He wants to strengthen you, make you complete and establish you.
Standing grace is the grace God gives us to stand in faith and live the Christian life. When God gives us standing grace, He gives us ability for the various areas of our lives. Whatever you need to know, be or do, God wants to grace you in such a way that you have His supernatural ability in that area, whether it be your work, homemaking, children’s education or your spiritual life. Without grace, we will eventually burn out and resent the very things we once loved.
God will use our circumstances to help us grow and mature as Christians, but we need to remember that He will not impose His will and ways on us, because He has given us free will. He will allow the situation to humble us and teach us life lessons. Sometimes the lesson can be heavy and difficult because of the choices we have made, but it will humble us and help us to start listening to Him.
Reflection: Can you identify areas of pride that may be hindering you from receiving God’s guidance and the counsel of others? How will you respond in repentance so that you may grow in humility and teachability?
Sermon Series: Are You Casting Your Cares to the Lord
