Humility #2—Exalting Humility

Jesus humbled himself in that he became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God highly exalted him, and bestowed on him the name which is above every name. Philippians 2:8–9

Humility is so difficult to motivate that God promises extravagant benefits to us if we will manifest that frame of mind. Humility involves admitting God has the wisest plan for our lives and for all the people our lives will ever affect. Humility involves acknowledging God’s power to accomplish his purposes for us—and through us—to be infinitely greater than ours, even to the point of raising us from the dead. Humility involves agreeing that the joyful future he can secure for us is far better than the one we could fashion for ourselves. With this attitude we can obey any command he gives us, even a command to give up our lives. For he promises to exalt us at the right time. If, instead of using our position to gain an advantage for ourselves at the expense of others, we humbly obey God’s commands to give our lives for the benefit of others, God will exalt us beyond imagining. He will reward us according to our deeds. He will give us “a new name … which no one knows but he who receives it.” So let us take up our cross and follow Christ.

Glorified Lord, let me see the beauty of the exaltation that will be mine. Let me prize it more than life itself. Then work in me “to will and to do according to your pleasure.” Amen.