INTRODUCTION

Everyone naturally wants to be in charge and do things for their own self-fulfillment. We want to set our own schedule, plan our own activities without regarding others. Life, however, is not that simple. Everyone must willingly submit to various authorities. A lack of humility is the primary reason why we find submission so difficult. Today's passage clearly conveys this important truth. The Bible says that the younger believers are to clothe themselves with humility thus enabling them to submit themselves to the elder. Yet, pride wants to rule our hearts and squash any humble spirit. Pride wants to sit on the throne of our hearts. The Devil displayed this attitude when he was lifted up with pride and many young Christians elevated too early in life fall into this same condemnation (1 Timothy 3:6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
See All...). The Devil sought to make himself like the most High (Isaiah 14:12-14 [12] How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! [13] For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
See All...) and rob God of His rightful position. Those who want to please God must do so by submitting to Him and to others in authority. Humbling oneself before the Lord is the only means of submission.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God the Son came to earth and took upon Himself a body of flesh. He was still God and could have been in charge of everything; yet, He willingly put Himself under the authority of God the Father. Read Philippians 2:5-8 [5] Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people: [6] Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! [7] Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them? [8] Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
  See All... to see how He acted.
• (For everyone):  Do you long to be in charge? Do you want to be the boss? Do you enjoy telling others what to do? How do you feel when others tell you what to do? Be honest with yourself and the Lord if you truly sense rebellion as your first choice.
• Are you so rebellious and full of pride that others cannot lead you? Will there be others in heaven who can give a good account of your submission to authority (Hebrews 13:17Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
  See All...)?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help you humble yourself before Him.
• Ask God to help you accept the leadership of others.

HYMN

How Closely Joined Are Man and Wife

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