December 12

Scripture: “Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.” (Isaiah 29:19) 

Passage: Isaiah 29:17-24

What could be the connection between humility and joy? Is it perhaps that we can choose to be humble, but cannot choose to be joyful? Mary seems to suggest that in the opening of her song in Luke 1:46-47. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.” Mary’s humility is evident in her response to the angel (Lk 1:38). She recognizes that the joy she now experiences in sharing her pregnancy with Elizabeth is a result of God’s activity in her life, not of anything she did to become happy. The pattern is also true for our supreme example, Jesus Christ. “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.” (Php 2:8-9)

“In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Php 2:3-4) Being humble means not pushing our way into the spotlight. It is most often in the shadows that we find needy people that need our help. This is also the place to exercise the discipline of secrecy. If we quiet our hearts and ask our Father in Heaven to reveal those people He wants us to serve, we might be surprised to see needs we have previously overlooked. Let us also allow the Lord to show us how to serve those special individuals in such a way that we remain humble, not letting our left hand know what our right hand is doing. Perhaps this could be an anonymous card or gift. Sometimes we discover joy in random acts of kindness to strangers.

Yesterday we began by removing obstacles in our lives through confession and forgiveness. Let us focus on an attitude of humility today, valuing others above ourselves and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us in ways to bless those He places in our lives in secret ways, knowing that our Father “sees what is done in secret.” The Joy He gives us in return will be greater than the happiness we often seek!

Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for all that You are doing in the world today. We recognize that most of this is unseen, and desire to follow Your example in this as Your children. Open our eyes to see the needs around us that You would want us to address. Lead us in ways of helping others that puts them first, and not us. Teach us to give so that our left hand will not know what our right hand is doing. Transform us into the humble servants You want us to be. We pray this in the Name of Jesus Christ, whom You have exalted and given the Name, which is above all names! Amen.