Over and over we read these words. It is true. The Psalms are filled with this phrase.
There is a parable in Luke 14 about a feast and being the invited guest. We are told we are not to automatically take the best seat assuming ourselves to be so noble, but we are to take the least seat so that if someone more honorable should arrive we are not embarrassed by being asked to leave so someone else can sit there! It goes on to say that you never know, if we take a lesser seat we might be asked to move to the better seat and be honored. Scripture tells us that "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12)
In today's world there are many who think they are greater than they really are. We can see this in politics all over the world. 2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Imagine if those in any government office would hold to this scripture where we could be. You know exactly what I'm talking about, but I won't go there. I'm sticking just to us. We are not to think of ourselves as greater for surely we will one day be brought low. We will be caught in our pride. It will be an embarrassing moment. In God's eyes it is best to be humble and allow Him to exalt in due time. And patience may be needed for that! Remember, everything is in God's timing.
God will honor those who humble themselves. It's hard to do sometimes. Our pride gets us all into trouble. In God's eyes were are all the same. No one is greater than the next because we cannot ever be perfect in and of ourselves. Let us keep this in mind when we decide to call someone a name for something they did or said. We are no better. Or when we balk at an authority figure because we believe they don't know what they're doing or saying. God will handle the wrongs--in the right way. John 3:30 tells us He [God] must increase, but I must decrease. It's all about the Lord and what He can do in our lives.
I'm not saying there aren't times when we have a right to be proud, but pride in order to boost our esteem is not being humble. I think pride in our favorite football team, in children or spouses, our country are all legitimate. It's the pride in ourselves that gets us into trouble
Galatians 6:3 - For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
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