Another Dose of Humility
November 8, 2017//
Topics to Dig Into
The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.Psalm 69:32 (NLT)
I’ve swallowed another dose of humility.
It’s no secret – I dislike the music at traditional worship services. I respect those who do and appreciate that everyone meets God in their own way. I worship God through praise music.
Or so I thought.
The devotional required of my spiritual formation class has led me into very meaningful times with God. And surprisingly, the weekly hymns are touching my soul. In the first few readings I reword ‘thee’, ‘thine’ and other poetic styling I stumble over, but after a few days it grows on me.
For example, this week’s hymn reinforces that living for God is counter intuitive. We are most free when we are God’s captives. Huh? We are weak, powerless and stressed when we try to handle life’s emergencies on our own. But when we’re ‘imprisoned’ in God’s arms we gain His strength (and wisdom). Our lives are only fully ‘unfurled’ when God breathes life into us. When we stop fighting against Him and lean on His ‘bosom’ instead, we can reach the pinnacle of life.
The humble will see God at work and be glad (Ps 69:32)
Paraphrased from Make Me a Captive, Lord by George Matheson:
Make me a captive, Lord,
And then I shall be free;
Force me to render up my sword
And I shall conqueror be.
I sink in life’s alarms
When by myself I stand;
Imprison me within thine arms,
And strong shall be my hand.
My heart is weak and poor
Until it master find;
It has no spring of action sure,
It varies with the wind.
It cannot freely move
Till thou hast wrought its chain;
Enslave it with thy matchless love,
And deathless it shall reign.
My power is faint and low
Till I have learned to serve;
It wants the needed fire to glow,
It wants the breeze to nerve;
It cannot drive the world,
Until itself be driven;
Its flag can only be unfurled
When thou shalt breathe from heaven.
My will is not my own
‘Til thou hast made it thine;
If it would reach a monarch’s throne,
It must its crown resign;
It only stands unbent,
Amid the clashing strife,
When on thy bosom it has leant
And found in thee its life. Amen
The humble will see their God at work and be glad. Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged. (Ps 69:32).
Has God surprised you by sending you a message in an unexpected way?
#SeedsofScripture #humility #hymn
Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
