Living in Humility

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV) [Read 1 Peter 5:6-11]

     Peter the Apostle was bringing his first epistle to an end. Writing about 62-64 A. D. when Nero was the Emperor of the Roman Empire and persecution of Christians was rampant throughout all the lands to which believers had been dispersed, Peter wanted to give them encouragement, despite great difficulties. He urged them to continue living in humble submission to the precepts they had been taught of being a follower of Christ.

     Despite the civil conditions under which they live, they are to remember that they are under “the mighty hand of God,” the same hand that brought the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage and led them in the Exodus and to possess the Promised Land. The same God was active in leading and keeping believers in Peter’s time, and extends to our time on earth. Like the gospel song reminds us, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Although times be hard, then and now, and holding onto faith may bring difficulties to the believer, humility and faith are to be practiced consistently.

     Time had different meanings in Peter’s day, as it does in our own. The Greek word for chronological time, chronos, has to do with seconds, minutes, hours, days, years, decades, centuries. Kairos time referred to an occasion when something can be marked as occurring, or an appointed time. In the context of this verse, “at the proper time” is God’s appointed time when difficulties will be lifted and rewards for faithful service will come. Know assuredly, Peter writes, that God “cares for you” whether reckoned in chronos or in kairos time.

     God has promised to take care of all who suffer “at the proper time” and will reward those who are humble and faithful. Peter, in admonishing the faithful followers to be humble, submitting to God’s leadership, reminded them of the promise from Psalm 55:22: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

     God is not distant and detached, but watches with providential care over those who trust in Him and humbly follow Him. But at the same time Peter warned that the devil, that adversary whom Christians fear and who seeks to turn them aside from following God purposefully, is “as a roaring lion, looking for whom he may devour.” This resistance to staying on the Way with Christ is common to all believers and we must keep vigilant watch lest we stray. Peter wanted followers to understand, assuredly, that “the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Peter 5:10b).

     The Christian is thus to know that his help is from the Lord, as the Psalmist so aptly stated, “who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1b). To recognize God in His sovereign majesty is to take on humility.

     This week I am in the mountains of North Georgia, a place where I was reared and where I return again and again for inspiration and because of love of place that nurtured me well when I was young and impressionable. With such beauty and majesty stretching about me, I cannot help but wonder: “Who am I, that God should regard me?” With such thoughts, and upon consideration of God’s majesty and care, I am greatly humbled, and grateful at the thought that God, even the God of the majestic universe, cares for me! Selah! - Ethelene Dyer Jones 10.30.2016