Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

“This Book of Proverbs is so called, because it consists of wise and weighty sentences: regulating the morals of men: and directing them to wisdom and virtue. And these sentences are also called PARABLES, because great truths are often couched in them under certain figures and similitudes.” quote

Reading through the 31 chapters of Proverbs each month can give us an understanding of how to serve God.

Proverbs 15:33

³³ The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.

There is nothing in the Christian character so necessary and beautiful as humility. The writer of Proverbs places this character trait as necessary to a particular promotion. We are left with the following observation.

1. Humility is a priority to accomplish honor.

2. Honor is a result that has the particular priority of humility.

3. The most immediate concern is humility.

The Apostle Peter (I Peter 5:5-6) gives the same instruction as Proverbs. Humility is directed toward God, “under the mighty hand of God,” and the results follow from His hand, “that at the proper time He may exalt you.”

We are told to believe in, to receive, to obey, to follow Christ in many places in the Scriptures. But we are told only once to imitate Him, Philippians 2:5 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus”. In Philippians 2:2-8 the Apostle gives us a twofold and complete description of humility. The first is in verses 2:2-4, and is encapsulated in 2:3B, “in humility count others more significant than yourselves”.

The second is in the humility of Christ, caring nothing for Himself, but absolute obedience to God as His single interest, humbled Himself unto death. Then follows the certain results, “Therefore God highly exalted Him.”

“Before honor comes humility. Psalm 75:6-7 NKJV

⁶ For exaltation comes neither from the east
Nor from the west nor from the south.
⁷ But God is the Judge:
He puts down one,
And exalts another.