Humility

Good morning,

Was freezing last night so I chose to turn the space heater in our room from low to high. You know, if a little is good, a lot is better. Ahem. Woke up at a very dark hour so hot I thought for a moment I was in the Bahamas sunning. Nuts! A dream..reality struck and here I was in a HOT room with nothing to show for this overheating except for an overwhelming desire to start panting like my dog. Ahem.

Not that this has anything to do with humility, but well, I could make a stretch somehow..

Our prayer focus today is on humility. 1 Peter 5:5 5 You younger men, ( recently born, young, youthful, new ) likewise, be subject (This word was a Greek military term meaning “to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader”. In non-military use, it was “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden”.) to your elders (The duty of “elders” is described by the verb episkopeo. They were appointed according as they had given evidence of fulfilling the Divine qualifications, ); and all of you, clothe yourselves (knot or band by which two things are fastened together, to fasten or gird one’s self)with humility toward one another, for GOD(theos: spoken of the only and true God)IS OPPOSED ( to range in battle against)TO THE PROUD(showing one’s self above others, overtopping, conspicuous above others, pre-eminent, with an overweening estimate of one’s means or merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt, haughty.), BUT GIVES GRACE (it stresses the character of the “benefit,” as the effect of the gracious disposition of the benefactor. )TO THE HUMBLE (not rising far from the ground, [also]as a condition, lowly, of low degree). Again, the Lexicon (Greek definitions) are from www.blb.org.

A couple of things to note in this verse:

1. From blb.org (http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3956&t=NASB): the wording “all of you” is a question for “many of us” and I think Charles Spurgeon answers it well: “… ‘The whole world is gone after him.’ Did all the world go after Christ? ‘Then went all Judea, and were baptized of him in Jordan.’ Was all Judea, or all Jerusalem baptized in Jordan? ‘Ye are of God, little children’, and ‘the whole world lieth in the wicked one.’ Does ‘the whole world’ there mean everybody? If so, how was it, then, that there were some who were ‘of God?’ The words ‘world’ and ‘all’ are used in some seven or eight senses in Scripture; and it is very rarely that ‘all’ means all persons, taken individually. The words are generally used to signify that Christ has redeemed some of all sorts—some Jews, some Gentiles, some rich, some poor, and has not restricted his redemption to either Jew or Gentile.” (Charles H. Spurgeon, Particular Redemption, A Sermon, 28 Feb 1858).

2. You see the words in uppercase? In the NASB version, (I go between NASB and Amplified) the uppercase in the New Testament tells us that the speaker or author is quoting the Old Testament. This verse is from Proverbs 3:34: 34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. One final note on this, James also quotes this very verse in 4:6.

3. Clothe yourselves: (http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1463&t=NASB) This was the white scarf or apron of slaves, which was fastened to the belt of the vest and distinguished slaves from freemen. Therefore, 1 Pet 5:5 (“gird yourselves with humility as your servile garb”) encourages Christians to show their subjection one to another by putting on humility. This could also refer to the overalls which slaves wore to keep clean while working—an exceedingly humble garment.

I cannot finish this day without encouraging you to memorize this verse today. Yet I also want to give you the surrounding verses, which to those of us who are hurting and suffering, will be a great encouragement. God bless you today, my friends. May His face shine upon YOU and keep you from all harm.

1 Peter 5
4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading [c]crown of glory. 5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 [d]But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your [e]brethren who are in the world. 10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Pray on! Pray on…
Love,
Cara