FILL MY CUP, LORD - 3
Marilyn Barber
As printed in The Voice of Evangelism
As we think of filling our cup
(life), let us consider humility as an important character trait for a
Christian. If we could achieve real
humility, what a difference it would make in our congregations, neighborhoods,
families, and in the brotherhood. Too
often we think we are the one with wisdom and knowledge for our
idea is the best. We forget from where
our abilities and knowledge originated.
It certainly wasn’t from us but from our Lord who made us and gifted
us. 1
Cor.4:6,7 Furthermore, He did the
same for our brother.
So what does it mean to be
humble? Several phrases are used in
definitions but two of them seem to fit the Scriptures we will be using. They are “make low” and “make small”. Another might be “bow down”. In Lev.16:30-31
God made a permanent statute. It
involved the day of atonement, (the cleansing of their sins) and the day of
rest. It was to humble their souls. David
humbled his soul with fasting and prayer.
Ps.35:13
Our Lord set the example for us
to follow. Phil.2:6-8 He left a throne
of glory to come to earth as a human being, first as a babe born in the
lowliest place imaginable. We dress it
up in our manger scenes but there were animal smells and whatever comes with an
occupied barn. Mary and Joseph had very
little and what they had during Jesus’ early years came from hard work. This was the Son of God!
As He went about the countryside
in His ministry, He had no place to lay His head. Lk.9:58 His chosen twelve were common men as
fishermen, etc. A summary of his
ministry is made in Acts 10:38 as
Peter was preaching Jesus to Cornelius. Even
in His Triumphal Entry He rode on a lowly donkey, not a white horse with
saddle. His humility is expressed in Zech.9:9.
Just the night before His crucifixion, Jesus performed a very complete
type of humility as He stooped down to wash the feet of His disciples. This was one of the lowest tasks of a
servant. Jhn.13:4,5 Then He was
crucified as a criminal, No glory in
that. And we have the audacity to think
we are “something”. We are nothing
except through our Lord and Savior.
Tears of repentance should follow.
Jeremiah warns of boasting which
would be opposite of humility. Jer.9:23,24 We boast in the Lord and live to His
glory, not our own. The arrogant man
will be humbled and the Lord ALONE will be exalted. Isa.2:11 Humility is required by the Lord if we
would walk with Him. Mic.6:8
Our Lord who made all things in His glory and majesty looks at us
and what does He want to see. He
searches for the humble and contrite of spirit and the one who trembles at His
Word. Isa.66:2
As Abraham bowed down in spirit
(humbled himself) and said he was nothing but dust and ashes, he pled with God
to save Sodom
if those who were righteous could be found.
Is it possible God is looking for the humble, penitent, and those who
tremble at His Word? Perhaps this is
what God seeks in our country today. A
country consists of individuals. We
matter. 2 Chron.7:14 Are we filling
our cup with humility?
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