TRUST GOD WITH HUMILITY AND PATIENCE

One of my favourite passages in the Bible is 1 Peter 5:6-11. I am sure many loves this passage too. This small passage has a lot packed in it, which is essential wisdom, and foundational principles for our Christian living. 
– “6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 5:6-11

For our meditation this morning, let us look at 1 Peter 5:6
– “6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,” – 1 Peter 5:6

There are three things that we can learn from these seventeen words. These are foundational principles for every Christian.

1- HUMBLE YOURSELVES
When we come to God, we have to come in humility. God hates proud and arrogant people. Pride leads to self-reliance of the wrong kind, where God is considered irrelevant. This in turn leads us to think, we are the “creators” of our own density, and thus “gods” of our own lives. Therefore, God is considered irrelevant and unnecessary – an obstacle and a hinderance.

Let us remember to be filled and led by humility, always. It helps us see ourselves and our capabilities, in proper and healthy perspective. 

2- UNDER THE MIGHTY HAND OF GOD
Humility should lead us to bring ourselves into subjection, under the mighty hand of God. Only when our humility leads us to God, and helps us to subject ourselves under the might hand of God, does it bear fruit. Humility is a virtue, but humility that is not under the mighty hand of God, is of no values, and it is as bad as being proud and arrogant.

Let us remember to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God.

3- THAT HE MAY EXALT YOU IN DUE TIME
Humility that leads us to submit ourselves under the mighty hand of God, will result in God Himself exalting us, in due time. Let us always remember that honour and exaltation is a reward from God. It is always in response to we first honouring God, by our humility. 

Much like the builder and the watchman of Psalm 127:1-2, our efforts without God will bear fruit, but they don’t become a blessing. So do not be deceived and mistake the fruit, to be the blessing. They both may appear same, but are actually not.
– “22 The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.” – Proverbs 10:22

Dear brothers and sisters, let us always approach God with humility. Let us always patiently and expectantly wait upon God, that in due time, He would lift us up, and entrust us with greater responsibility. This again should lead us to more humility. This is the sum and the substance of 1 Peter 5:6, in the light of the Parable of Talents. This is Christian life, where humility and patience combined with faith in God, and human diligence and effort under God, will bless our lives, and we would be blessing to many around us. 
– “6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,” – 1 Peter 5:6
– “6…”God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6

Even so, the LORD help us.