Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“You see your calling brethren, that not many who are wise according to the flesh, not many powerful people, not many of noble birth have been called by God; instead, God has chosen the foolish things of the world so that He might bring the wise to nothing, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to bring the strong things to nothing, and insignificant things of the world, and things despised has God chosen, and things that are not, that He might bring to nothing the things that are, so that no flesh might boast before God.”
Paul, in 1Corinthians 1:26-29
God delights in using little people to accomplish His purposes. The prophet Samuel reminded King Saul, “When you were little in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the Lord anointed you king over Israel?” (1Sam. 15:17). But when King Saul became proud, God cast him away as useless.
Jesus was “meek and lowly” before God, even calling himself a “worm”, and he warned his followers that they must have the same attitude and refrain from lifting themselves up or pursuing honor among men. He asked the hypocritical elders of Israel, “How can you believe, while receiving honor from one another and not seeking the honor that comes from the only God?” (Jn. 5:44). Paul’s detractors pointed out that “his bodily presence is weak and his speech contemptible” (2Cor. 10:10). “Humble yourself under the might hand of God,” wrote Peter, “that he may exalt you in due time.” “For God resists the proud,” he explained, “and gives grace to the humble.”
The mighty Syrian warrior Naaman humbled himself to listen to the advice of a little slave girl, and later, even though he was very angry, he listened to the counsel of one of his personal servants, and God healed him of leprosy. Moses humbled himself to his father-in-law at Mount Sinai and learned from that Midianite how better to judge Israel. David humbled himself to listen to the counsel of Abigail and escaped a great transgression which he was about to commit. Peter listened to a rooster crow and learned from that simple farm animal how better to fear God. Jesus even gave demons their request when they begged him not to send them out of the country. And God humbled Himself to plead with Israel more than once to come and reason with Him. The Psalmist said that God humbles himself to behold the things in heaven as well as on earth. Who, then, are we, that any among us should be unwilling to humble ourselves to listen to others?
God delights in using little people. Do not be afraid to become one.