THE PROCESS
Genesis 43:26-28
"And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. And he asked them about their well-being, and said, 'Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?' And they answered, 'Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.' And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves."
Humility does not just happen. There is a process that forces us to lose our pride. Joseph's brothers are an example of that process. When they first came to Joseph seeking food, they "bowed before him with their faces to the ground" (Genesis 42:6). This was a common act of courtesy given to those in authority, like I would bow (or curtsy) before the Queen of England. They still had their pride. This time they bowed themselves, but went a step further. They didn't just bow; they prostrated themselves before Joseph. They knew they were in dire need and Joseph could meet that need. The next time they meet with Joseph, they will not just bow; they will fall before him on the ground (Genesis 44:14). They will recognize that Joseph has the authority to kill them. Humbling ourselves before God involves a process. Some people give a tip of the hat to God. Others will bow before him as an act of honor. But when we really recognize God as God who has power over our lives, we will fall on our face before Him (see Ezekiel 1:28; 3:23; Revelation 1:17). It is when I come to that place of falling before Him that He can really reveal Himself. "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the hand of the Almighty, that He may exalt you in due time" (I Peter 5:5b-6). It is when I acknowledge my need and acknowledge who God is that I will lose my pride.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The journey from pride to humility is a process.
[end]
Have a humble day. Love you.
Genesis 43:26-28
"And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth. And he asked them about their well-being, and said, 'Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?' And they answered, 'Your servant our father is in good health; he is still alive.' And they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves."
Humility does not just happen. There is a process that forces us to lose our pride. Joseph's brothers are an example of that process. When they first came to Joseph seeking food, they "bowed before him with their faces to the ground" (Genesis 42:6). This was a common act of courtesy given to those in authority, like I would bow (or curtsy) before the Queen of England. They still had their pride. This time they bowed themselves, but went a step further. They didn't just bow; they prostrated themselves before Joseph. They knew they were in dire need and Joseph could meet that need. The next time they meet with Joseph, they will not just bow; they will fall before him on the ground (Genesis 44:14). They will recognize that Joseph has the authority to kill them. Humbling ourselves before God involves a process. Some people give a tip of the hat to God. Others will bow before him as an act of honor. But when we really recognize God as God who has power over our lives, we will fall on our face before Him (see Ezekiel 1:28; 3:23; Revelation 1:17). It is when I come to that place of falling before Him that He can really reveal Himself. "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the hand of the Almighty, that He may exalt you in due time" (I Peter 5:5b-6). It is when I acknowledge my need and acknowledge who God is that I will lose my pride.
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The journey from pride to humility is a process.
[end]
Have a humble day. Love you.
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