Humility Finds Its Rightful Place

"As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind."

Daniel 2:30

When I opened up to read what God had to say this morning I came across this verse. It really made me think a lot about Daniel's character. That is the most humble thing a human being can say. Notice how Daniel did not take any credit for this dream interpretation. He told the king he is no better than any other wise men. I believe that is the way to think as a Christian especially. Daniel understood that God was using him not to benefit Daniel by making him feel good about himself but to benefit the king. God could have chosen ANY of the wise men in the kingdom at that time. He could have chosen Daniel's friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; but He didn't. God chose to give the interpretation to Daniel and only to Daniel.

It really reminded me of my place before the kingdom of God. It reminded me that God doesn't have to use me, He chooses to use me. He is the one that gives wealth, greatness, and wisdom, and He is also the one that takes away wealth, greatness, and wisdom.

After reading about Daniel and really feeling so inadequate in my own faith, I turned to Job when God speaks. Talk about a morning of inadequacy. ;-) Here's Job suffering and in total hell, he is questioning God, his friends try to defend God and then God speaks saying,

"Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?" Job 38:2

"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundations? Tell me, if you understand." Job 38:4

"Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?" Job 38:5

"On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone--while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?" Job 38:6,7

Then Job answers God's 3 chaptered questions with,

"I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.' My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:2-6

I really needed to read this today. I have been questioning God and worrying about my future, and becoming discouraged each day as I wait for answers to my questions. Who am I to question God? Who am I to tell Him what I want to do. Who am I to rush Him and His timing? I am human. I am here to serve the Almighty not myself. I am here to use my days and my hours wisely for His glory not my own. Who am I to darken God's counsel by trying to figure His ways out? Do I know what I'm doing this summer? No. Do I know what I am doing in the Fall? No. Does God provide for His children? Yes. but in His timing and in His ways. I need to sit back and just wait and be patient. To remember that I am not in control at all, only God is.

My only hope is that I am pleasing Him in my life right now, this very minute, and this very hour.

God bless!

In Christ,

Amber