October 20, 2020
I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of 1 Peter 5:5 , All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God resists the proud. But gives grace to the humble.”
From the above passage we come to understand that Apostle Peter was giving wise instruction both to the church elders as well as to those that were younger in age. He calls all believers to clothe themselves with humility towards one another – explaining that God resists those that are proud but gives grace to those that are humble in action and attitude. Peter had learned, what it means to suffer for Christ; and how necessary it was to resist the devil. Peter had also learnt through experience the need for humility of heart and meekness of spirit and so he calls both elders and young men to cloth themselves with humility towards one another – because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. May we be self-controlled, willing to serve and gentle in spirit. And may we also humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God – so that He may lift us up in due time.
Humbleness is a quality of being modest.True humbleness is characterized by humility. As children of God you need to put on the garment of royal majesty. You should possess the quality to reign because you are children of God , The king of kings and Lord of Lords. Your humbleness does not remain in your dressing or apparels but in maintaining dignity and honour. You should behave modestly wherever you go, because you are representative or ambassador of Christ. Our God who is Holy, and dwells in the high and holy place, has a contrite and humble spirit.
We read about Mordecai in the Bible . He was a humble Jew. He lived in Sushan. He adopted his cousin Esther an orphan, and looked after her as his own daughter in spite of the kings decree that all should prostrate themselves before Haman who was a Vizier( A higher official) in the Persian empire. Mordecai refused to bow before him. So Haman hated Mordecai. He looked for a way to destroy Mordecai and his people. Since Haman was a favoured minister of king Ahasuerus, he misused his power and according to his plan the king commanded that all the Jews be put to death. Esther who became the queen of Sushan, interceded for her people. At one point of time Mordecai sat within the king’s palace gate. He was mocked by Haman. Haman was a proud man and expected everyone to bow down before him. But Mordecai, being a Jew refused to bow down before him. Therefore Haman was filled with wrath when Mordecai refused to bow down to him.
The Lord honoured Mordecai, who sat at the front gate with sack cloth and ashes and mourned for the Jews, with fasting and wailing. Haman planned to honour himself, by suppressing Mordecai and his people. He cunningly set up gallows to hang Mordecai as revenge. But God who looked at the heart of Mordecai, changed the situation in favour of him. On the day when the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them the opposite occurred. As a result the Jews themselves over powered those who hated them. The fear of the Jews, fell upon the people of the city of Shushan. Mordecai became great in the kings palace. And his fame spread throughout all the provinces. The king honoured Mordecai for his good act of saving the king’s life from death. But Haman was hanged in the very gallows he had made for Mordecai. God expects His children to humble themselves. This incident from the Bible goes to prove that the humble will be exalted and the proud will be punished. Therefore humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. God bless you.
Prayer: Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Thank You for teaching us that we need to be humble in character. Heavenly Father help us to be self controlled, willing to serve, gentle in spirit and humble of heart. Teach us to consider the elders and also the younger brothers in our church. Let us never be proud, or take revenge against any one. Teach us to be kind, gentle and help us, forgive one another.
In Jesus name we pray.
Amen.
