Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV
Still focusing on Abraham from last week. He sometimes wandered from God’s leading and in most instances landed himself in trouble. But immediately he realises his mistakes, he would fall back in step, trusting God to take control and do what He does best.
For instance, it was hard for Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away at Sarah’s behest. He might have been thinking that they were his responsibility. “The situation distressed Abraham greatly because of his son [Ishmael]. God said to Abraham, ‘Do not let it distress you because of Ishmael and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her and do what she asks, for your descendants will be named through Isaac. And I will also make a nation of [Ishmael] the son of the maid, because he is your descendant.’” Genesis 21:11-13 (AMP)
Abraham humbled himself, casting Hagar and Ishmael into God’s hands. He trusted that God would do what He promised, even though he didn’t understand the why, how and when. Most of the time we want to know the whys, hows and whens before we act, so we can control the narrative.
As Christians, God controls the narrative, we don’t. It takes humility and casting to totally surrender to God.
Joseph also depicted a life of humility and casting of his cares on the God of his fathers. With everything that happened to him – his brothers selling him into slavery, Potiphar’s wife lying against him, he patiently trusted God. He could have gone off the rails, living a life of disobedience, since there was no one to guide and instruct him. Instead in everything he did, he trusted God to work the situation out for His glory – forgiving his brothers and even Potiphar’s wife along the way.
“But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? [Vengeance is His, not mine.] As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present outcome, that many people would be kept alive [as they are this day]. So now, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and support you and your little ones.’ So he comforted them [giving them encouragement and hope] and spoke [with kindness] to their hearts.” Genesis 50:19-21 (AMP)
Forgiveness is key to our lives as Christians. It takes humility to cast those who have offended us into God’s hands and not get weighed down with bitterness or revenge planning. “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 (ESV)
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” Romans 12:19 (ESV)
We will discuss Moses and David’s life next week.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 