Tuesday: THE GIFT OF HUMILITY

Apr 25, 2023
2 min read

1 Thessalonians 2:1-7

You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.

It’s no mistake that the world is in the state it’s in. I can expect to be treated outrageously for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ’s teaching is opposite of what the world teaches, so I can expect them not to understand it.

However, I have been entrusted with His gospel. I am not trying to please people, but God, who tests my heart. Whenever I am frustrated, anxious or angry, I look to God for Him to show me the way. My heart is frustrated because of sin in the world, and sometimes it is because of pride in my heart that I want to be in control.

When I try to please people instead of God, it’s my attempt to gain control. This always backfires, because I’m never in control. God is always in control. When I look to Him, He assures me He has things under control and not to worry.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS

Young children never have to give up control; most of the time, they assume that someone else is watching out over them. This is how God wants me to be. I don’t need to wear a mask to hide my feelings—God is my witness to how I feel. I also don’t need to hide my self-centeredness and greed; these actions are a result of my pride, which God continues to test and teach me His principle of humility.

Humility tells me to not look for praise from people, and to spend my time praising Jesus instead. When I praise Jesus, God is pleased, and lifts my spirit, so that I want to praise Him all the more.

Lord, thank You for the gift of humility. I desire for you to erase the pride within my heart and replace it with Your humility. As I learn to praise You with all my heart, I see that this is one of the ways You do that. May You be praised forever! Amen.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman