Monday August 7, 2023

Today is Monday, August 7 and we are studying what the Bible says about humility.

I begin each day focusing on the most important relationship in my life, my relationship with God. I pause to center myself in his loving presence. I breathe in the blessings of contentment, joy and peace that he provides.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, in the morning I seek you. I set aside the upcoming day’s agenda and focus myself completely – body, mind and soul on you. Teach me to listen for your wisdom and adhere to your guidance as I travel today’s pilgrim journey. Amen.

I praise God and rejoice with the words of Psalm 131, a Psalm of Ascent.

My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Psalm 131:1-2

Pause and Pray

We have been journeying to Jerusalem along with the ancient pilgrims singing the Psalms of Ascent. We are nearing the end of our journey traveling this upward path with a community of believers. This week’s Psalm is Psalm 131, a song of humility and contentment. It is a reminder of the peace God provides when we humble ourselves before him and quiet our hearts in his presence. Jesus had a lot to say about humility and freedom from the sin of pride. This week we will be studying his words from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30

Pride is a vice and humility is a virtue. Humility is a key quality of the Christian believer. In this passage, Jesus explains that kingdom truths are sometimes kept hidden from the scholarly and well-educated and revealed to little children. If I seek contentment and peace in this earthly life I can find it in Jesus. He is the one who will supply what I need. He is the one who will give me rest. He is the one who will show me the way. I am invited to put away my worldly knowledge and stop searching the internet for answers to my questions and solutions to my problems. When I take his easy yoke upon my shoulders I find the peace and contentment for which I long.
Ask: Where do I feel weary and burdened? How might Jesus help me find rest for my soul?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, help me come to you with a childlike faith and understand the truths you offer. Reveal the love of God my Father and help me know him and experience him through you. Thank you for the easy yoke you offer. I exchange the heavy burden I have been carrying for the lighter burden you provide. Teach me to be gentle and humble in heart. Grant my soul rest and peace. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I read this familiar passage of scripture, I contemplate the words that strike me today. I consider what has been hidden and what has been revealed. I search my soul for places of weariness and shadows of sorrow. Am I bearing burdens for myself or others that I don’t need to be carrying? I imagine a biblical yoke – a circular wooden halter placed on an animal’s neck that harnesses them to a plow or cart. There are things in this world to which I am yoked. I am pulling around heavy burdens all day long. Jesus invites me to unyoke myself from worldly things and take his humble, gentle, easy yoke upon my shoulders. I trust him to lead me and lighten my load.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, reveal the places in my life where I am unnecessarily weary and weighed down. I accept your invitation to come to you. Here I am with a humble heart. I am ready to trust you, give my life to you and take on the yoke of your gentle love. Amen.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

I leave this time of prayer bearing the gentle yoke of Christ. I go wherever he leads me to love and serve others with a humble heart.

Amen