Monday, May 11, 2009

Humble Yourselves by Ann Elaine Broughton

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV).

Don’t give up. Sometimes it seems like you are trying so very hard to do the very best job you can do, and nobody appreciates it or acknowledges it. It is difficult when it seems that nobody cares or maybe even notices your hard work, but God does see it. He knows your very thoughts and sees everything you do because Christ is in you. Our human nature wants to be noticed, but Jesus wants you to do everything for Him and not men. We are to totally humble ourselves and lay down at His feet all of our life’s work. Our will and God’s will must be one. It isn’t about you….it is what God can do through you.
Think about it…God used men and women of no great importance to do mighty things. David was a shepherd and became king. Gideon was hiding when God called him to lead an army and defeat the Midianites with just 300 men. Jeremiah was a boy when God called him to be a prophet. Esther was a young Jewish girl of no great importance who became queen and saved her nation from being destroyed. Joseph was a young man who was sold as a slave and later saved many people from famine because he trusted in God. Daniel was a hostage in Babylonia who interpreted the king’s dreams and rose in power. He showed the king that God was the only true God by taking a stand and not bowing down to an idol.
God has a purpose for you just as important as the men and woman listed. They did not do their deeds to be honored by men, but to show men that God was the only God to serve. You are God’s voice and His witness to others on this earth. You have a responsibility to do the work He has planned for you in spite of obstacles and stumbling blocks. There are people that need you to tell them of His great mercy and love. The people you work with or the people who surround you daily need to hear about the Lord’s love for them. Take this responsibility seriously. Don’t be discouraged. He will never leave you. Paul offers encouragement to those who are doing the Lord’s will. “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith” (11 Thess. 1:11 NIV).
Dear Lord,
Thank you for the job and the purpose you have provided for me. Give me strength and courage to do your will even when it is very difficult and nobody seems to notice. Help me to humble myself and believe that you can work through me when I feel I can’t do it. You are mighty and can accomplish anything. I am your humble servant.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Perseverance: A devotion by Ann Broughton

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