HUMILITY OR EXALTATION?

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In Christ, Mark

The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.

Proverbs 25:6-7        

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Are you a humble person or do you always seek to be exalted?

Perhaps before you answer the question, you should look at the definition of the word exalt. If one is exalted they are:

1. raised high in rank, power, or character.

2. glorified or elevated by praise or in estimation.

The ways of the world we live in would encourage us to always seek to be exalted. Am I right? The goals placed before us include success and wealth and prominence, to climb the social ladder so that we might be seen in a different light than others, like standing on a pedestal with a spotlight shining only on us.

Note here where the focus lies and this is the dangerous nature of exaltation when it is misapplied. For when one places themselves as the object of exaltation, then it becomes all about “me” and “I”. In other words, seeking exaltation leads to self-centeredness and egotism.

As we look at the life of Solomon, the primary author of the Book of Proverbs that we have been studying, we find a man who had every reason to seek exaltation. He was following in the footsteps of his father, the beloved King David who had built Israel into a great nation, and as he was ready to assume the throne, there was a critical moment that would give us insight into the kind of man Solomon was. As you may recall, the Lord asked Solomon what he wanted, promising to give him what he wished and given the opportunity to ask for anything, he didn’t ask for greater power or riches or anything material but rather that he would receive the wisdom needed to lead the people the right way.

Solomon was one of the early great examples of humility in the scriptures and as a result of his humble decision, we are told this about the way the Lord responded to his modesty:

The Lord highly exalted Solomon in the sight of all Israel and bestowed on him royal splendor such as no king over Israel ever had before. 1 Chronicles 29:25

In this single verse, we find an important point to remember when it comes to the matter of exaltation:

Exaltation comes from the Lord and the Lord alone.

Solomon wasn’t exalted by his own doing. He was exalted because the Lord made him so. The same applies to us in the way we live. When it comes to the choice between humility or exaltation, we are to opt for humility 100 percent of the time. It’s simply not our place to exalt ourselves or anyone else for that matter.

This brings us to our scripture for today as we read these words from the man who asked the Lord for wisdom, Solomon:

Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles. Proverbs 25:6-7

Carry yourself around the king’s company as being greater than you really are in his sight and you would find him humbling you, leading to humiliation in the midst of others. That’s the message here.

How does that translate to our lives today?

Carry yourself as being greater than you are in the presence of THE King (capital “K”) and you will find Him humbling you in a way that will bring you humiliation.

In the midst of one of Job’s discourses, he had this to share about the Lord and the matter of humbling the haughty and pride-filled, those who would seek to exalt themselves:

God drags away the mighty by His power; though they become established, they have no assurance of life. He may let them rest in a feeling of security, but His eyes are on their ways. For a little while they are exalted, and then they are gone; they are brought low and gathered up like all others; they are cut off like heads of grain. Job 24:22-24

So often we witness people carrying themselves around puffed up and big-headed. They have such a high opinion of themselves that they feel like they are above others. Yet, they are no better than anyone else when it comes down to it. They have no more assurance of life than the humble. And as we see so often, fame is fleeting. People elevate themselves to worldly exaltation for a little while but then they are gone. Reference any number of celebrities who fit this category. I could mention quite a few today but I don’t want to get off topic here. The focus isn’t on prominence but rather on the need for humbleness and as we consider this need, we have no greater example than our Savior, Jesus. Look at these words of the Apostle Paul regarding Christ and how we are to be like Him when it comes to the matter of humility and exaltation:

 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:5-11

If you want a primer for teaching humility, this is it.

For Jesus, God’s only Son sent in power to live and dwell among sinful people who rewarded His love and healing and teaching with murder, did not use His association with God to His advantage. He could have called down legions of angels to wipe out all those who opposed Him, those who schemed and planned His demise, those who betrayed and denied and reviled Him, those who flogged Him and then nailed Him to a cross, an innocent man hanging in the midst of criminals. No, Jesus didn’t save Himself although He could have. Instead, He made Himself nothing while taking the nature of a servant, serving all mankind instead of Himself. He was so obedient to His Father’s will (remember He was always about His Father’s business) that He allowed Himself to die on that cross on Calvary’s hill, broken and bruised and bleeding, to save all of us.

What was His reward for going through all that? What did such great humility bring Jesus?

Great honor from God the Father, that’s what.

For the Jesus we follow and strive to live like as Christians was exalted to the highest place, to God’s right hand where He reigns and rules over all of creation with a name that was, is, and will always be above any other name, a name that will bring all living things to their knees at its mere mention as honor and glory is shown to the only One who truly deserves it.

So as I started, I end with a question to conclude this incredibly powerful devotion filled with words the Lord has given to me for anyone who would care to read them:

Are you humble or do you always seek to be exalted?

I don’t know about you but my only rightful place is on my knees proclaiming Jesus as the only One worthy of exaltation and glory and honor and praise.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.

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