For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:3, ESV)
Golf is a humbling game. Even the very best players win tournaments and miss cuts in the span of a few weeks. You want to be confident in your abilities but always respect the game. It can seem so easy and yet with one swing and an unexpected result, you go the opposite direction.
Golfers, just like non-golfers, are easily puffed up when things are going well or quickly downcast at life not going their way. The answer is not in thinking too highly of ourselves or to think less of ourselves, but to think of ourselves less and remember God more.
If our Savior was willing to submit to the Father, how much more ought we to do likewise.Here’s what the Lexham Theological Wordbook says about humility: “Humility can refer to a state of being—generally lowness in status or economic means. In this sense, humility is the opposite of importance or wealth. It can also refer to a virtue that involves a modest self-perception. In this sense, it is the opposite of pride and arrogance.”
When God’s Word repeatedly covers a theme, we are wise to pay attention. Humility is mentioned 72 times in the Bible. It is most commonly mentioned as the remedy and antithesis of pride. In James 4:6 we read, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Opposing the living God, who is all-knowing, all-powerful, and always present, sounds like utter foolishness. Yet when we are proud, we are not living for the Lord, but rather for ourselves, in resistance to God.
You see, we are not that different from the Israelites or their rulers. In the Old Testament, you will find the same pattern that we fall into today. From their proud hearts, the people resisted and opposed God by doubting his provision before the parting of the Red Sea or waiting for Moses to come down from Mount Sinai or taking over the land of Canaan.
On the other side, when God’s people and us too, humble ourselves, he lifts us up—just as the Father lifted up Christ, who was the ultimate example of humility. Christ emptied himself, giving up his status in heaven; he took on the form of servant and was born in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:7). If our Savior was willing to submit to the Father, how much more ought we to do likewise. Let us not be wise in our own eyes, but rather fear the Lord and turn away from evil (Proverbs 3:7).
As in golf, life humbles us. And praise God that it does! Oh, that we may see our desperate need for his hand in our lives. We will not necessarily be on top in this life, but here’s better news: As followers of Christ, we will not be at the bottom in the life to come! For the way up (exaltation) is down (humility). God knows us better than we know ourselves and wants the very best for us—more of him.
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Aimee Neff
June 21, 2018
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.