Lowly, But Loved

Some people are name-droppers. They like to talk about the famous people that they supposedly know. But are they really known by these famous people? It is one thing to speak about famous people, but an entirely different story to be known by them.

Psalm 138:6 says, “For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. ” Our God sits in majesty on His throne in heaven. He is Lord of lords, King of kings, Almighty God, Creator of all things, and Ruler over heaven and earth. And yet He knows us and calls us by name. We know Him also as Father, Brother, Savior, Counselor, Ever Present Help, Comforter, Light, Lamb, and Steadfast Love.

Giving and Receiving

Generosity is demonstrated by more than giving money. It involves giving from the blessings that have been received. God’s promise is that we will receive much more than we give. For instance, when we offer kindness to someone, God promises that we will be enriched by the kindness of others toward us. In the same way, withholding kindness will result in our need for kindness being unmet.

Proverbs 11:24-25 says, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give,and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

Repeated Choices

I have noticed that once I make a choice that it becomes easier to make that choice again in the future. I discover a food that I like, so it quickly becomes my go to choice in a restaurant. I make the decision to exhibit kindness toward a person, it becomes easier to choose kindness in the future. I get away with a small lie, it is easier to choose to lie going forward. It is the little choices that we make, that form our character in who we become. Compare I Samuel 2:12 : “Now the sons of Eli were worthless men. They did not know the LORD,” with I Samuel 2:26: “Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.” Eli’s sons and Samuel all served God in the tabernacle. Eli’s sons, however, did not know God and chose to do evil in many ways. Samuel, however, knew God and served Him faithfully. It is the decisions that we make throughout life that form our character, good or bad.

Give and Receive

When we invest, we want a good return for our investment. Unfortunately, we also display this attitude when it comes to doing good and giving kindness to others. We expect the receiver to return the favor to us. God’s economy works differently. He expects us to give to others from the blessings that we have received from Him. Passing forward these blessings demonstrates our humility before God and our faithfulness to Him.

Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food iin my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” The Israelites wrere suffereing a drought and needed rain. God wanted the people to humble themselvess and demonstrate their faithfulness. Often, God grants His greatest blessings when we first remember to serve people and God, in faithful distribution of the blessings that we have already received.

Introductions

When we are introduced to someone new, we spend time introducing ourselves to them by speaking about our experiences and thoughts. But we will never get to really know the other person, if we are not silent for them to tell us about themselves. A lot of learning comes from silent observing and listening.

Habakkuk 2:20 says, “But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.” God most certainly calls us to confidently bring our prayer requests to Him. But we are missing a lot if we don’t also spend time in silence before Him to learn from Him. In this silence God expresses His awesome nature and sovereignty over all creation. In our silence before Him, we gain understanding and learn to know Him more.