November 18, 2020
Bow Low to Go High
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.
(James 4:10)
Beloved, your job as a leader is to sacrifice, and Father God’s job is to promote! If you bow low, He will raise up. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time. (1 Peter 5:6) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor. (James 4:10) The Father talks about those who humble themselves; He will lift them up or promote them. It is most apparent in Revelations 5; John saw and heard voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne of God and living beings and the elders. And they were singing in a mighty chorus:
You are worthy, O Lord. To receive glory and honor and power: For You created all things. And by Your will, they exist and were created. (Revelations 5:11-12)
The Lamb of God who came and died on the cross, shedding His blood for you and me, now sits on the throne far above every other leader. And then John heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
belong to the one sitting on the throne
and to the Lamb forever and ever.” (Revelations 5:13)
And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb. Paul foretold this in (Philippians 2:9-11), God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. Every tongue declares that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. It seems the lower you go, the higher you grow. God lifts, and Jesus is our ultimate example of this leadership law. Many throughout history have obeyed this law. Reflect on a few examples:
Leader His Sacrifice The Result
Abraham Security, rich land, success Became Father of Nations
Moses Royal position in Egypt Became deliverer of Israel
Jesus’ Disciples Everything they had Leaders of the Church
Apostle Paul Leader among Pharisees Greatest Apostle in history
Jesus Christ His divine rights and His life Ruler of the Universe
What have you given up for you to go up?
