November 1st
Read: Psalm 37:4
“Wait on the LORD and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land.”
Here we see the Hebrew word for wait to mean binding together with the Lord meekly with expectation. If we wait on Him, His promise has two conditions … wait on Him and keep His way. Psalm 18:30, tells us that His way is perfect, meaning without error.
Can we do this? Can we walk in His way without error? Of course not! Only our righteousness in Christ perfects us in God’s sight as we walk on in His way. This is called `progressive sanctification’. We are sanctified (set apart for God’s use) at the moment we are saved, but the Holy Spirit continues His work in us day by day to perfect us for the ministry and for our hope of Heaven. We must, however, yield ourselves daily to His ministry in us if we are to keep His way.
The word exalt is found several times in these New Testament verses as the opposite of humility:
1. Matt 23:12, “Whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
2. 1 Peter 5:6-7 “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for you”.
3. James 1:9 “Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted.” (In Christ)
4. Rev. 22:3-5 “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him; and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they shall need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
5. James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up.”
EXALTATION IS NOT OUR JOB, BUT GOD’S.
IT’S ONLY ME
It isn’t I, capital I,
Standing tall and square;
It’s only me, the object
Of Your loving grace and care,
Coming now before You, God,
Bowing again in prayer.
It’s only me, up early, God,
Seeking to start my day,
Seeking full assurance
That You’re with me on my way;
Knowing that You answer me
Even as I pray.
It’s only me, I’m shaken, God.
The wound was deep and swift.
Help me forgive in Your loving way;
Help me to heal the rift,
Then help me forget my wounded pride
And by forgetting, lift.
It’s only me. I’m running late,
But I take this moment now
To come to You for help, God,
To smooth the way somehow;
Priorities full-sprung from You
Their time I must allow.
It’s only me. I’m weary, God,
And yearning for my rest.
The day was long and busy
And I strove to do my best.
I thank You for Your faithfulness,
Your help to meet each test.
Prayer: Dear God, I acknowledge Your sovereignty over me. Teach me to humble myself as Jesus did, that I might be lifted up by You.