Let the humble be exalted

The dictionary definition of the word humble is a bit different from the Biblical one. We often associate the word with having a low estimate of ourselves whereas the Bible associates the term as agreeing with God who has a very high opinion of us: if indeed we are his children . When I was younger I used to have a very low opinion of myself and said words to the effect of 'I am guilty of a lot of sins but I have no trouble with pride, my self image is naturally low.' It was then somebody suggested that I had inverted pride as I was in direct disagreement with God. I had never thought of this.

What it means to humble is to agree with God.

As Christians our self-esteem comes through 'being in' Christ. Which is why the apostle paul talks about our 'strength being perfected in weakness'

Healing

There is one important aspect to God's unconditional love and that is healing. Isaiah 53 it says in verse 4 'surely he took away our infirmities' and in verse 5 it states 'by his wounds we are healed'. This theme is repeated in Psalm 103 v3 where it brings together both forgivenesss and healing in one verse. The theme of healing is central to the gospels and also to the book of Acts.

It still remains something of a mystery to me why many Godly people remain sick and disabled. All I can do is quote what the Bible says.

The Road Less Travelled

One aspect of God's unconditional love is the manner inwhich God uses apparently awful situations to bring about blessing. A defining scripture in this respect is Matthew 5 v 4 that says 'blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted'. If this sentiment requires conformation it comes in James 1 v 3 which says 'consider it pure joy my brothers when you face trials of many kinds'. Indeed the ultimate place of unexpected blessing is the cross of Christ. On the face of it total defeat, total injustice - the complete opposite, it would appear of everything Jesus said and did. It seemed on the surface to be the ultimate tragedy .....but yet.......we all know in hindsight that it was the ultimate victory.

Phillippians 2 expresses it superbly when in verse 8 it says 'And being found in appearence as a man, he (Jesus) humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross'.

But it follows on: therefore God exalted him to the highest place and has given him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, both in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord - to the glory of God the Father.

God is amazing!!