Tag Archives: Humility

God’s Anger

Advent

December 7, 2022

Scripture Reading:

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

O Lord God of hosts,
   how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
   and given them tears to drink in full measure.
You make us the scorn of our neighbors;
   our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
   let your face shine, that we may be saved.

But let your hand be upon the one at your right hand,
   the one whom you made strong for yourself.
Then we will never turn back from you;
   give us life, and we will call on your name.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
   let your face shine, that we may be saved. –Psalm 80:4-7, 17-19

I have read about the anger of God. My memory is that it was often focused on his people. This scripture made me wonder what we might pray that would make God angry. I googled the questions to see what other scriptures might apply to this and had to laugh; there were many items dealing with our being angry at God but not God being angry at us. I can visualize God sighing in frustration over our repeated attempts to alter just a bit some of God’s guidance, like loving all our neighbors or doing justice in all instances.

If Jesus’s example gives us glimpses of want might make God angry at our prayers, we should consider Matthew 6:5-6, ‘And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that others may see them. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we pray in ways that are not in keeping with your desire for our wholeness. Make us whole, make us one, make us just. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

King of the Mountain

Living in the Spirit

November 9, 2021

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 2:1-10

Hannah prayed and said,

‘There is no Holy One like the Lord,
   no one besides you;
   there is no Rock like our God.
Talk no more so very proudly,
   let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
   and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken,
   but the feeble gird on strength.
Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
   but those who were hungry are fat with spoil.
The barren has borne seven,
   but she who has many children is forlorn.
The Lord kills and brings to life;
   he brings down to Sheol and raises up.
The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
   he brings low, he also exalts.
He raises up the poor from the dust;
   he lifts the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with princes
   and inherit a seat of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s,
   and on them he has set the world. –1 Samuel 2:1a, 2-8

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
   and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
   and to walk humbly with your God? –Micah 6:8

When I was in grade school, one of the games we played was King of the Mountain. We would find a naturally raised spot in the playground or create such a place as our mountain. The goal would be to push, pull, or shove off our “mountain” whoever made it to the top and take their place. Unfortunately, what was a game to us readily transferred into adult behavior. I have occasionally considered sending our governmental leaders books on how to deal with a child experiencing the terrible twos because that is how they act. I am not sure if Hannah’s prayer above includes a bit of that sentiment or if it suggests that God is the great equalizer. Indeed, most Kings that bully their way to the top of the mountain do come down.

Micah prescribes an alternative way that prevents one-upmanship allowing all to prosper in the love of God while experiencing the abundant life of enough for all. That is to do justice, be kind, and walk humbly with God. In practice, it might work better if we started by walking humbly with God.

Prayer: God of Grace, forgive us when we seek the ways of the world rather than prospering in your love. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Humility

Living in the Spirit
November 10, 2018

Scripture Reading: Mark 12:38-44

As he taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the market-places, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.’ –Mark 12:38-40

My Bible study group is currently reviewing the book of Esther. Upon reading the above scripture, I immediately thought of Haman the antagonist in the story of Esther. He was not a Jew; he was the one who schemed to have all the Jews killed thus leading to Esther’s intervention to save her people. Haman was rather full of himself. Being self-centered and self-promoting is not limited to religious leaders, but they are as susceptible to such behavior as are all humans. How do we walk humbly with our Lord*?

Merriam-Webster defines humble as having a low opinion of one’s own importance or merits:  modest or meek in spirit, manner, or appearance:  not proud or haughty** In the Hebrew, humble is a root word describing itself.

Having a low opinion of one’s own importance does not mean having low self-esteem. It carries the connotation that one’s worth is not better than any other’s worth.

Jesus was not stating anything new in the above scripture; he was clarifying ancient teachings. It is interesting that this scripture falls in the lectionary immediately after the national elections in the USA where we have been assaulted with claims and counterclaims of candidates’ qualifications for office. Some fit the description of the scribes Jesus described, others walked the fine line between maintaining humility while trying to prove to voters that they are the most qualified for the position they seek. While we may not be on the political stage in our daily lives, we represent Christ as we serve him. What message do we send as we interact with people who translate our actions as representative of Christ? I was raised with the idea that my behavior reflected good or bad on how others judged my whole family. Is that not also true of the family of God?

Prayer: Lord, keep my focus on my mission not on myself. Amen.

*See Micah 6:8
**http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/humble

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

 

Walking Humbly

Living in the Spirit
November 5, 2017

Scripture Reading: Matthew 23:1-12

But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. –Matthew 23:8-12

The Lord calls us to walk humbly with God*. Merriam-Webster** defines humble as having a low opinion of one’s own importance or merits:  modest or meek in spirit, manner, or appearance:  not proud or haughty.

What does it mean to walk with God in humility? My Aunt Nancy was a master crafter. She could knit and crochet better than anyone I knew. It was rare to visit with her when her hands were not flying through the motions making a sweater or afghan. She shared that her young son was watching her one day and said he wanted to learn how to knit. She sat him on her lap and went through the first easy steps of knitting until he could do it by himself. He sat down next to her and began knitting one tedious stitch at a time when he finally stopped in frustration and said, “No Mama, I want to knit clicky-clack like you.”  She hugged him close and told him he would be able to knit fast one day if he practiced very hard and over time learned all the stitches. God is our master teacher. Walking in humility with God means intentionally freeing ourselves of distractions and learning the master’s craft.

Modest and meek do not mean we become doormats. They mean we get our priorities straight in alignment with God’s and we do not let ourselves get in the way of fulfilling our potential.

Prayer:

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

 Refrain:
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

 Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.

 When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more;
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.***

*Micah 6:8
**http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/humble
*** http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Just_a_Closer_Walk_with_Thee/

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

God’s Game Plan

beggar-signLiving in the Spirit
August 6, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:1, 7-14

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’ –Luke 14:7-11

There is a country and western song by Mac Davis popular several years ago with this first line: Oh Lord it’s hard to be humble When you’re perfect in every way. It comes to my mind each time I read this scripture. The scripture seems to game the art of humility, and that bothers me. It does not bother me more than those who assume they are the center of attention, and the best seat is surely intended for them. It points out the truth of the song; it is hard to be humble and be self-confident and be fearless in facing the challenges of the world. It is impossible unless we have incorporated into our very being the source of all humility: the overwhelming love of God that enables who we are at every point in life.

Jesus set the example for all. He seemed to have time for everyone. Yesterday, I was in a hurry, had to run to the grocery store for a quick purchase on my way to somewhere else when A woman stopped me in the parking lot holding up some money in her hand and asking if I could give her more. I rarely carry much cash, and I do not believe that handing out money is particularly helpful, but I did not give her my time. I did not even find out what she needed. I said, “Sorry I cannot help” and sped on to my next task. People soliciting money is not an uncommon occurrence and in Oklahoma City it is against the law to beg, but I missed the mark in this encounter. I need to game plan myself a way to love a child of God like the woman in the parking lot while not contributing to whatever problems she might have that led her to that situation and fitting her into my hectic schedule.

Prayer: Lord, help me to prepare for whatever you call me to do. Let me learn from my failures and not repeat them. Amen.

*See at https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=&oq=O+Lord+its+hard&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4WQIB_enUS519US519&q=o+lord+it%27s+hard+to+be+humble+lyrics+&gs_l=hp..1.0i10l5.0.0.0.7913………..0.gBdG8vC4ZSY

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Humility and Authority

HumilityLiving in the Spirit
May 29, 2016

Scripture Reading: Luke 7:1-10

For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, “Go”, and he goes, and to another, “Come”, and he comes, and to my slave, “Do this”, and the slave does it.’ When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.’ When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. –Luke 7:8-10

Humility and authority are probably not normally linked together but that is exactly what we have here. A centurion, clearly a person of authority, recognizes the authority in this peasant preacher and ask for his help to save his slave. Rare though it may be, it is a beautiful combination found in both of these men.

I suppose some are born with one or the other of these characteristics and a few with both. Most I think learn them through the lessons of life. The centurion after sending his people to find Jesus, in recognizing the authority in Jesus, is suddenly struck with a sense of humility and sends others to not bother Jesus, asking that he just say the word and the slave would be healed. Jesus acknowledges the authority and faith of the centurion by honoring his request.

When we find ourselves called to a position of authority, we need to also hone our humility. It is the counterbalance to authoritarianism, which never works.

Prayer: Lord, help us grow in our leadership ability when called to assume it and grant us humble hearts in all our service provided within your authority. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.

Judgment

justice and mercyLiving in the Spirit
July 1, 2015

Scripture Reading: Psalm 48

We ponder your steadfast love, O God,
   in the midst of your temple. Your name,
O God, like your praise,
   reaches to the ends of the earth.
Your right hand is filled with victory.
Let Mount Zion be glad, let the towns of Judah rejoice
   because of your judgments. –Psalm 48:9-11

God is the establisher of justice. We spend our entire lives dedicated to living into God’s justice. Our calling as people of God is not to oversee God’s judgments or even to enforce it. Our calling is to live justly ourselves and through our life’s work to draw others who do not know God to God. Yet we seem to spend a lot of energy on one hand trying to test the edges of justice ourselves while on the other hand defining our own understanding of justice for others. Jesus Christ proposed a radically different way of being. One in which we stayed as centered as possible in God’s justice and live God’s love in relationship with others.

Micah 6:8 tells us the other parts of our calling including showing mercy and walking humbly with God. Anytime we are dealing in the call of justice we must remember we are also called to mercy and humility.

Prayer: God of Love, enable us to take in your justice not define our own and help us to live justly with mercy and humility. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.