Humility

From Chapter 2, Book 2 of The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A Kempis
A Reflection

It is often good for us to have others know our faults and rebuke them,
for it gives us greater humility.
When a man humbles himself because of his faults,
he easily placates those about him
and readily appeases those who are angry with him.

I am not humble. I maybe think I am humble but I am far from that. Every time other people criticize me for anything, I would be quick to explain myself. I think I win most arguments, and I won’t stop until I’d show to their face how foolish their ideas are. I think I can take criticism, that is, if they know exactly what they are saying. I always tell people criticizing that they should know what they are saying, or I won’t accept it.

I think I tend to argue and show people I do have greater ideas than them; that I am the wellspring of greatness. I get hurt at times and I would be silent, and then I rage on the inside and in my head trample on people that hurt me. I would burst out a few of my witty comments and I would try to show off and make sure these people get their share of hurt. I know that too well and you know how that story goes.

But it is such a shame that I am proud and it is not worthy of anything but downfall.
Lord, please change me.

It is the humble man whom God protects and liberates;
it is the humble whom He loves and consoles.
To the humble He turns and upon them bestows great grace,
that after their humiliation He may raise them up to glory.
He reveals His secrets to the humble,
and with kind invitation bids them come to Him.
Thus, the humble man enjoys peace in the midst of many vexations,
because his trust is in God, not in the world.
Hence, you must not think that you have made any progress
until you look upon yourself as inferior to all others.

Puffed up and Put down!

“”What are you doing here and who gave you permission
       to cut out a grave for yourself here,
       hewing your grave on the height
       and chiseling your resting place in the rock?

 “Beware, the LORD is about to take firm hold of you
       and hurl you away, O you mighty man. ” Isaiah 22:16-17

Bible Reading: Isaiah 21-23

Do you know what tomorrow will bring?
These chapters would still talk about prophecies toward the nations like Babylon and Tyre. But strangely enough, Jerusalem in Chapter 22 will receive its own judgment too. Though she is a chosen nation. she acted like that of the nations around her, thus, judgment awaits her. In the 22nd chapter  the prophecy would tell us about how Jerusalem trusted in herself. Though prophecied to be attacked and exiled, they went ahead and prepared for the battle, fortifying walls and storing water in the pools, forgetting one very important matter, that is to cry out to God and repent and ask for His help. Here, we would read of the king’s servant named Shebna. He is in a position that gives him the authority to be well esteemed, but He used it to glorify himself. Though told about the prophecy of being exiled, he went on and built a tomb for himself which sort of says to the people that would see that He is not gonna die anywhere else. To build a tomb would mean spending treasures and it is a thing that only high porfiled people can do. He exalted himself, and the Lord would deal with that as we read in the chapter. He will surely not be buried in this expensive tomb he made.

In what ways do I glorify myself and think that I am in control of everything in my life? I can get very busy in preparing a future ahead of me, but if God is not in it, and if I pursue it in my terms apart from His will, I am certainly in trouble.

Prayer:
Lord, please search my heart and show me where I have exalted myself. Please help me to remember I am nothing apart from you. You hold my future, and I desire to be there, just the way you want it to be.