2 Corinthians 8.9
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich,
yet for your sake he became poor,
so that you by his poverty
might become rich.
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Everyone loves the idea of humility and meekness, yet rarely do we enjoy learning to walk in it. It is often said, “be careful what you pray for, you just might get it,” and we jokingly warn each other, “don’t pray for patience!” The reason we joke this way is because we know that things like patience and humility don’t just drop into our laps; instead we know that God will bring about hard circumstances to train us to grow in and learn these things. He uses these circumstances like sandpaper to work on us, shaping us more and more into His image.
God will take me
where I never intended to go
in order to produce in me
what I could never achieve
on my own.
Some home renovation projects are easy: fresh paint, new furniture, updated fixtures, etc. These are largely cosmetic. But some are wrecking ball worthy. Growth in humility is painful; it is utterly destructive. To grow in true humility, I must be willing to die. I die to my preferences, to my rights, to my “rightness,” my entitlement, my authority, even my dignity. I choose to lower myself, and even pour myself out as a drink offering. I bite my tongue and turn the other cheek. I lay my life down for others for the sake of Christ (Philippians 2.3, 2 Timothy 4.6).
If our Master was given
a crown of thorns,
why do we expect
a crown of roses?
-Martin Luther
As painful as this is, the Gospel gives me relief. What makes this burden easy and this yoke light is my love and trust of Jesus (Matthew 11.28-30). This demolition project, though painful, is also a joy because I remind myself that Christ willfully and humbly laid His life down for me (1 John 3.16). I know that what will be built on the ruins of my pride is a building built by the Spirit as a dwelling place for Him (Ephesians 2.19-22). I look forward to the new construction, which helps me to trust Him during the destruction (Romans 8.18).
When I consider Jesus and what He did for me, it makes humbling myself and serving others easier; it makes it a joy. I consider it a privilege to serve others and pour myself out for them, because Christ poured Himself out for me. What else could I possibly want other than to be used by Christ to help others see Him and know His love?
Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:
2 Corinthians 8.9
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Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
Psalm 119.73–80
73 Your hands have made
and fashioned me;
give me understanding
that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you
shall see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord,
that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness
you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your mercy come to me,
that I may live;
for your law is my delight.
78 Let the insolent be put to shame,
because they have
wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be
blameless in your statutes,
that I may not be put to shame!
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Pray Aloud:
This morning I again rejoice in You, Lord
because death is subdued
and sin defeated forever;
That I may walk in newness of life,
with You and the Holy Spirit.
-Antiphonary of Bangor, Ireland, 7th Century
Father, help ________ to keep
in step with Your Spirit today.
Help ______ to follow You
and lift up Your Name,
that ______ might carry Your aroma
through the day.
Give _______ daily bread,
so that Your promises
would keep ________ heart,
which is prone to wander,
anchored closely to You.
Lead ________ away from temptation,
but instead be brought back
to Your truth and presence.
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