Relevant Worship Dismantles Proud Worship

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:5

You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.

Insights:  As you read today’s verse I want you to keep in mind the context of this verse.  When Peter is writing about these elders over the young men he is not talking about people with gray and white hair.  In the first four verses he has informed us that he is referencing the church leadership, and like with Timothy, that leadership is often young men who are full of faith.  The point, however, is not who the elders in the verse are, but rather the attitude of the heart.  The issue is about one having a humble heart.  To those who are proud and unwilling to be submissive, God stiff arms them and keeps them at bay.  When we worship the Lord, however, our focus is turn off of us and turned onto Him.  When our focus is correct we are able to truly be humble at heart and not proud in our own estimations.  When we are humble and no longer proud of ourselves, then we are able to subject ourselves to the leadership the Lord has placed us under.  When we are able to submit in this fashion it pleases the Lord and He helps us to be more joyous in our exuberance of His grace and glory.  When we experience His favor and pleasure it helps compel us into a heart of worship and the cycle then continues.  Beloved, if for some reason you are not willing to humble yourselve, then let me challenge you to start looking at those individuals with which the Lord has placed you under and begin actively seeking the good attributes these individuals possess.  Even the worst of leaders possess some good trait.  It could be as insignificant as they at least take a shower before coming to work and they smell nice.  From this simple beginning begin asking the Lord to open your eyes to the other positive traits about these leaders.  Begin asking the Lord to change your heart about these leaders and as you do these two things, you will be amazed at how the Lord changes you.  Before you know it, you will be more humble and submissive at heart.  May you then point to God and His glory for all He has done in your life and in the life of the leader with whom you have submitted.

Questions:

1.  Do you do well at humbling yourself before authorities in your life?

2.  If not, what do you think is the cause of this haughty spirit that prevents submission?

Prayer: Father, all too often I am arrogant and proud.  Forgive me for this proud attitude and grant me Your grace to humble myself before You and those in authority over me.  Amen.