Today's encouragement comes from Psalm 75:6-7. There, Asaph wrote these words, being inspired by the Holy Spirit:
"For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another."Looks are deceiving. Many people in the world, who would appear to be greatly "exalted," are, in fact, actually "put down" by God. On the other hand, many humble folk, who seem to be very much powerless and despised, are actually "exalted" by God. Of course, on the judgment day and throughout all eternity, all this will be abundantly obvious to everyone.
But down here, the believer's duty is to "humble [oneself] under the mighty hand of God, that He [God] may exalt him in due time," (1 Pet. 5:6). In truth, and in Christ alone—the way up, is down. Those who exalt themselves are humbled, and those who humble themselves are exalted, (cf. Matt. 23:12).
Let us not fall for the devil's, and the world's traps and tricks—as enticing as they may appear. In Jesus, let us do it God's way.
[Puritan quote of the day: "A child of God makes his estate [viz. all that he owns] a golden clasp to bind his heart closer to God, a footstool to raise him up higher towards heaven.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Beatitudes"]
