Pastor Ian shares a word entitled ‘Give In, Give Out’. Reading from 1 Peter 5:1-11.
This text tells us to hold onto our future. You better believe that Jesus is looking after you.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that 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
We need to be a humble people. The word ‘Shaphel’ (sha fail) to make low, set in a lower place, descend. We translate it to the word ‘humble’ meaning to ‘bring down’ or ‘make low.’
It is our own responsibility to humble ourselves. There’s a lot more that we are responsible for than we sometimes realise.
“One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.”
Proverbs 29:23 ESV
Humility is not a false outward show but is confidence in who God says we are in Him. In and through Christ Jesus we can do all things.
Humility is recognising our need and dependence upon Jesus. It does not get any simpler than that.
Humility will only survive in the presence of God and only makes sense in the context of God. Humility follows Jesus like a shadow.
God produces unmeasurable power. Our capabilities are limited, God’s isn’t.
We have to understand we have our powerful God, whose mighty hand is over us (v.6) and he is fighting for us.
God says when we sit under Him, He will raise us up. So what does pride look like? Self satisfaction. Self -sufficiency and self- reliance. Considers itself above instruction. Insubordinate – rejects the right of God to command or demand. Takes credit for what God alone does. Aspires to the place of God and Refuses to trust God.
It’s only when we give in, does God qualify us to give out.
Pride refuses to trust God.
What are we giving out, if we are not giving in?
When we start to taking control, that’s where the anxiety starts when we lose control. Burdens come in all forms but they have one thing in common—they weigh us down and wear us out.
We are constantly in a battle. Stop trying to fight it on your own.
Cast your anxieties on him, for He cares for you.
Unless we recognise our total dependence on Him, we won’t make it. Humble yourself therefore under God’s mighty hand, so that at the right time He will raise you up.