“He humbled Himself, being obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” — Philippians 2:8
I am often amused by unofficial holidays. In the US, there’s only one February where there’s Gummy Bun Day, Sword Swallower Day, even Dog Biscuit Day! Today is called the Day of Humility. Humility is a universally recognized virtue worth celebrating. However, it was not always like that.
In the ancient world, humility was considered a weakness, not a virtue; the world valued fame. Bragging about one’s accomplishments was expected; people tried to raise their status and never lower it. Humility meant a subordinate position, for example, a servant before a master. However, all this changed after the death of Jesus Christ. He who was in the “form of God” left His divine status to take the “form of a servant” and “humbled Himself” to die for others (Phil. 2:6-8). A commendable act made me reevaluate the meaning of humility. Thanks to what Christ did, by the end of the first century, even secular writers called humility a virtue.
Every time someone is praised for being humble, the Gospel is being preached indirectly. Without Jesus, humility would not be “good” and the Day of Humility would be unthinkable. Christ gave up His status for us, revealing the humble nature of God throughout history.
What would the world be like if humility was still considered a weakness? In what relationship contexts can you find the humility of Jesus?
Lord Jesus, I praise You for Your humility. I wish to show the same humility before You!
“Above all that is guarded, guard your heart, for from it comes life.” — Proverbs 4:23
In 1938, the Hungarian mathematician Abraham Wald moved to the United States. There, during World War II, he applied his skills to military purposes. The military command was trying to find ways to protect aircraft from enemy fire, and turned to Wald and his colleagues. In an attempt to determine the places where the aircraft were most damaged, scientists began to examine the equipment that was returning to the base. However, Wald realized that the damage on the returning planes showed only those areas that had not been critically hit. He realized that the place that needed the most additional protection was to be found in the planes that had been shot down. At the same time, these planes, hit in the engine, fell and could not be investigated.
Solomon talks about the need to protect the most vulnerable place – our heart. He urges his son to “guard your heart”, because everything else comes from it (Prov. 4:23). God’s instructions guide us in life, keeping us away from bad decisions and focusing on what is important.
If we protect our heart by listening to God’s instructions, we will be able to “remove our foot from evil” and remain steadfast in our journey with God (v. 27). We enter enemy territory every day, but with God’s wisdom in our hearts, we are able to focus on our mission to live for God’s glory.
Where is your heart most vulnerable right now? How can God’s wisdom protect you?
God, please protect my heart from all threats. You are my refuge.
friends We invite you to take part in the National Fast and Prayer for Ukraine! On February 24, it will be exactly one year since the Russian Federation launched a full-scale war against our country.
It is written in God’s Word: “And My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Name, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and heal their Land!” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
“Neglecting the commandment of God, you cling to the traditions of men.” — Mark 7:8
While cooking, the young woman cut a piece of meat in half and put it in a large pot. When her husband asked why she was doing it, the woman answered: “Because that’s what my mother does.”
At the same time, her husband’s question aroused her curiosity, and she asked her mother about the meaning of the tradition. She was amazed to learn that her mother had cut the meat to fit in her little pot. Since my daughter had many large pots, there was no need to cut the meat.
Many traditions begin with the need to do something, but in the future they are followed only because “we are used to doing it that way.” It is quite natural to stick to human traditions; the Pharisees did the same (Mark 7:1-2). They were annoyed if someone violated at least one of their religious rules.
The Lord Jesus said to the Pharisees: “Forsaking the commandment of God, you hold to the traditions of men” (v. 8). He showed that tradition should never replace biblical wisdom. A sincere desire to follow God (vv. 6-7) is connected with the attitude of the heart, and not with observing external rituals.
It is good if we constantly evaluate traditions, what we hold dear to our hearts and what we do with religious zeal. What God has revealed to us and what is truly necessary must always be superior to tradition.
What traditions do you personally follow? To what extent do they agree with what is said in the Holy Scriptures?
Heavenly Father, help me to obey Your commandments and to renounce all traditions that contradict the Scriptures.
“And my people will submit… then I will hear from heaven.” — 2 Chronicles 7:14
Orukun is a small town in northern Australia. The aborigines who inhabit it come from seven clans. Even though the Gospel message reached Orukun a century ago, the custom of “an eye for an eye” was still sometimes practiced in the community. In 2015, tensions between the clans increased, and when a murder occurred, the principle of revenge demanded that someone from the killer’s family also die.
However, something amazing happened at the beginning of 2016. The inhabitants of Orukun began to seek God in prayer. Then came repentance, mass baptisms, and the city was engulfed in revival. People jumped for joy right in the streets, and the family of the murdered man forgave the murderer’s clan. Soon, about 1,000 people came to the church every Sunday, while the population of the city is only 1,300!
Similar revivals are described in the Bible: during the time of Hezekiah, the people returned to God with joy (2 Chron. 30), and on the day of Pentecost, thousands of people repented (Acts 2:38-47). Although revival is solely God’s work, history shows that revival is always preceded by prayer. God said to Solomon: “And My people will humble themselves… and pray, and seek My Name, and turn from their evil ways, then I will… forgive their sin, and heal their Land” (2 Chron. 7:14).
Residents of Orukun have seen from their own experience that revival brings joy and reconciliation. Father, bring revival to us too.
Although there is no “formula” for revival, what do you think makes it happen? How to respond to God’s call to promote revival?
Dear Heavenly Father, please bring revival to our land. Start with me.
“Pray in spirit with every prayer and supplication at all times.” — Ephesians 6:18
During a conference where I was one of the teachers, Temi gave me a card with a prayer written in her own hand. She explained that she read the biographies of all the teachers at the conference, wrote special prayers on each of the cards, prayed and gave them to us. I was amazed at the details of her personal message to me and thanked God for the encouragement from Temi. I prayed for her too. When I felt pain and fatigue during the conference, I took out the card and after rereading Tami’s message, I realized that God had restored my spirit.
The apostle Paul recognized the life-affirming influence of prayer for others. He urged the believers to prepare for the battle “against the heavenly spirits of malice” (Eph. 6:12). He encouraged constant and specific prayers, emphasizing the importance of intercessory prayer. Paul asked that they also pray for him courageously: “That the word may be given to me to open my mouth and boldly proclaim the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains” (vv. 19-20).
If we pray for one another, the Holy Spirit comforts us and strengthens our perseverance. He confirms that we need Him and each other. He assures us that He hears every prayer – silent, spoken or written on a prayer card – and answers according to His perfect will.
How has God helped you through the intercessory prayers of others? Who can you encourage today with a prayer card?
Dear God, please help me to come to You with confident prayers for myself and others.
“And all of us have become like the unclean, and all our righteousness is like a stained… garment.” — Isaiah 64:6
Recently, my wife and I were cleaning the house before the arrival of guests. I noticed dark stains on the white kitchen tile on the floor; I had to kneel down to clean it.
A realization soon hit me: the longer I cleaned the floor, the more I noticed other stains. Each spot removed only made other spots more visible. The kitchen floor suddenly seemed incredibly dirty. With each step I realized, “No matter how hard I work, I will never clean the floor perfectly.”
Somewhat similar Scripture speaks of our unsuccessful efforts to deal with sin on our own. Observing the desperation of God’s people in an effort to experience His salvation (Is. 64:5), the prophet Isaiah wrote: “And we have all become like the unclean, and all our righteousness is like a stained… garment” (v. 6).
However, Isaiah knew that because of God’s goodness, there is always hope. Therefore, he prayed: “O Lord, You are our Father, we are clay, and You are our potter” (v. 8). The prophet Isaiah knew that only God can truly cleanse us until the largest stains become “white as snow” (Is. 1:18).
We are unable to cleanse our souls of the stains of sin. Fortunately, we can find salvation in Him Whose sacrifice completely cleanses us (1 John 1:7).
Why is it so difficult to accept God’s forgiveness? Why do you think you tend to try to deal with sin on your own?
Heavenly Father, help me to rely on Your forgiveness and not to try to earn what You have already given.
“And life was in Him, and life was the Light of men.” — John 1:4
To reproduce the beauty of reflected light in landscapes, artist Armand Cabrera adheres to an important principle: “Reflected light will never be brighter than its source.” According to his observations, novice painters tend to oversaturate reflected light. He says, “Reflected light belongs to the shadow; it should support the lit parts of your painting, not compete with them.”
A similar opinion is recorded in the Bible regarding Jesus Christ, “the Light of the people” (Jn. 1:4). John the Baptist “came to witness to testify about the Light, so that all would believe through him” (v. 7). The author of the Gospel says the following about John the Baptist: “He was not that Light, but he had to testify about the Light” (v. 8).
We, like John, are chosen by God to reflect the light of Christ to those who live in the shadow of an unbelieving world. This is our role, because, as someone pointed out: “unbelievers are unable to endure the fullness of the bright glory of His light.”
Cabrera teaches his students: “Anything on which the light directly falls becomes a source of light.” Likewise with Jesus, “the true Light… [Which] enlightens every man” (v. 9), we shine as witnesses of His light. And let the world be amazed by His glory that shines through us.
How do you reflect the light of Christ? What dark areas of the world can you shine His light on?
Shine on me, wonderful Light of God. Please help to illuminate the dark areas of the unbelieving world with Your light.
“You will not be with the majority to do evil.” — Exodus 23:2
“One man is dead. The other’s life is in danger,” says the judge grimly in the classic 1957 film Twelve Angry Men. The evidence of the young man’s guilt seems convincing. However, during the discussion, one of the twelve jurors, namely number eight, declares that the suspect is “innocent.” The debate escalates and the juror is ridiculed as he points out discrepancies in the testimony. Emotional heat runs high, and the murderous tendencies and biases of the jury members become apparent. In the end, the jurors change their votes one by one, agreeing that the defendant is “not guilty.”
When God gave instructions to Israel, he called on them to show honest courage: “You shall not speak about a lawsuit, leaning to the majority, to bend the truth” (Ex. 23:2). It is interesting that the court should not “indulge the poor in his claim” (vv. 3, 6). God, the righteous Judge, wants us to be honest in all our dealings.
In the movie “Twelve Angry Men”, the second juror, after voting “not guilty”, said about the first: “It is not easy to stand up against the ridicule of others.” However, this is exactly what God requires. Juror number eight saw real evidence and humanity at trial. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can also stand up for God’s truth and defend the defenseless.
What tempts you to follow the crowd? In what way does God call you to stand up for truth and justice?
Heavenly Father, help us to show Your love to the world as we stand for Your truth.
